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Publications

Journal Article Epublish

PubMed: 39351370 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.18080

High microvessel and lymphatic vessel density predict poor prognosis in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

PeerJ 12:e18080

Authors: Li Wen Qi, Yu Fang Xie, Wei Nan Wang, Jia Liu, Kai Ge Yang, Kai Chen, Cheng Hua Luo, Jing Fei, Jian Ming Hu

Affiliations

  • Pathology, Shihezi University School of Medicine/The First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China. Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.
  • Pathology, Shihezi University School of Medicine/The First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China. Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
  • Pathology, Shihezi University School of Medicine/The First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.
  • Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.

Abstract

Background

Microangiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are essential for tumor growth in the tumor microenvironment, contributing to tumor invasion and metastasis. Limited literature exists on these processes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the impacts of microangiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis on the occurrence, progression, and prognosis assessment of ESCC.

Methods

Surgical specimens and paraffin-embedded human tissues were procured from ESCC patients, encompassing 100 ESCC tissues and 100 cancer-adjacent normal (CAN) tissues. CD34 and D2-40 were utilized as markers for microvessel endothelial cells and lymphatic vessel endothelial cells, respectively. Microvascular density (MVD) and lymphatic vessel density (LVD) were evaluated through immunohistochemical quantification.

Results

We found that tumor tissues in ESCC patients had significantly higher MVD and LVD than cancer-adjacent normal (CAN) tissues. High MVD and LVD were associated with lymph node metastasis and advanced tumor clinical stages. Additionally, both high MVD and high LVD were strongly linked to poorer prognosis among cancer patients. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between high MVD and high LVD ( < 0.05). The presence of these markers individually indicated a worse prognosis, with their combined assessment showcasing enhanced prognostic value.

Conclusions

Overall, the increased MVD and LVD indicates higher invasion and metastasis of ESCC, closely correlating with unfavorablefor poor prognosis of ESCC patients.

MeSH

Cells, Lymphatic Vessels, Lymphangiogenesis, Carcinoma, Squamous Cell, Neoplasms, Neoplasm Metastasis, Lymph, Endothelial Cells, Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Tissues, Microvessels, Prognosis

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