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Lin X, Zhan J, Guan Z, Zhang J, Li T, Zhong L, Zhang C, Li M. Clinicopathologic and prognostic significance of tumor-associated macrophages in cervical cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Transl Oncol 2024:10.1007/s12094-024-03587-1. [PMID: 38976211 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-024-03587-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The role of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in cervical cancer (CC) remains controversial. Here, we report a meta-analysis of the association between TAMs infiltration and clinical outcomes. METHODS PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CNKI were searched systematically from inception until December 20, 2023. Studies involving TAMs and prognosis, clinical, or pathological features were included. Quality assessments of the selected studies were assessed. The fixed-effect or random-effects model, standard mean difference (SMD), odds ratios (OR), or hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used as the effect size estimate. RESULTS 26 eligible studies with 2,295 patients were identified. Our meta-analysis revealed that TAMs were overexpressed in CC (OR = 12.93, 95% CI = 7.73-21.61 and SMD = 1.58, 95% CI = 0.95-2.21) and that elevated TAM levels were strongly associated with lymph node metastasis (LNM) (SMD = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.90-2.01) and FIGO stages (SMD = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.08-0.85). Subgroup analysis indicated a significant positive correlation between LNM and TAMs density in tumor stroma, but not in cancer nests (SMD = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.31-0.58). Furthermore, in early stage, a stronger correlation exists between LNM and TAM density (SMD = 1.21, 95% CI = 0.75-1.66). In addition, it revealed that patients with high TAMs expression had poorer overall survival (OS) (HR = 2.55 95% CI = 1.59-4.07) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) (HR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.40-3.35). CONCLUSIONS Our analyses suggest that a high density of TAMs predicts adverse outcomes in CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinmei Lin
- Department of Gynecology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jijie Zhan
- Department of Gynecology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ziting Guan
- Department of Gynecology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jingwei Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tian Li
- Department of Gynecology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Li Zhong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Department of Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Changlin Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Miao Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Digestive Cancer Research, Department of Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China.
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Choi Y, Lee D, Kim NY, Seo I, Park NJY, Chong GO. Role of Tumor-Associated Macrophages in Cervical Cancer: Integrating Classical Perspectives with Recent Technological Advances. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:443. [PMID: 38672714 PMCID: PMC11051155 DOI: 10.3390/life14040443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a pivotal role in the tumor microenvironment, influencing cancer progression and contributing to poor prognosis. However, in cervical cancer (CC), their significance and involvement are relatively less studied than in other gynecological cancers such as ovarian and endometrial cancer. This review aims to provide an overview of TAMs, covering their origins and phenotypes and their impact on CC progression, along with major TAM-targeted therapeutic approaches. Furthermore, we advocate for the integration of cutting-edge research methodologies, such as single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial RNA sequencing, to enable in-depth and comprehensive investigations into TAMs in CC, which would be beneficial in leading to more personalized and effective immunotherapy strategies for patients with CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeseul Choi
- Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Science, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea; (Y.C.); (D.L.); (N.Y.K.)
| | - Donghyeon Lee
- Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Science, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea; (Y.C.); (D.L.); (N.Y.K.)
| | - Na Young Kim
- Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Science, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea; (Y.C.); (D.L.); (N.Y.K.)
| | - Incheol Seo
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Republic of Korea;
- Clinical Omics Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41405, Republic of Korea;
| | - Nora Jee-Young Park
- Clinical Omics Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41405, Republic of Korea;
- Department of Pathology, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu 41404, Republic of Korea
| | - Gun Oh Chong
- Clinical Omics Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41405, Republic of Korea;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu 41404, Republic of Korea
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Larre A, Fernandes RC, Gerbasi GJ, Carvalho FM. Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes and Tumor-Stroma Ratio on Early-Stage Cervix Carcinoma: Prognostic Value of Two Distinct Morphological Patterns of Microenvironment. Cureus 2023; 15:e45148. [PMID: 37842421 PMCID: PMC10571070 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.45148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tumor progression is influenced by the complex network of different cellular elements that make up its microenvironment. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and stroma characteristics reflect two faces of the intricate mechanisms involved in the tumor-host interaction and can be easily evaluated by routine histological examination. Their prognostic value could be demonstrated in different tumor tumor types, but they are poorly explored in cervical cancer. Methodology In this retrospective study, we analyzed the association of TILs, tumor-stroma ratio (TSR), and pattern of stromal fibroblasts with prognosis and classical clinicopathological variables. We studied 61 patients with early-stage cervical cancer. We reviewed histological type, tumor grade, Silva pattern of invasion for adenocarcinomas, tumor thickness, depth of stromal invasion, lymph vascular space invasion, and lymph node status. The median follow-up was 37.77 months (range 4.77 to 112.37 months). Results The TSR did not correlate with any clinicopathological features or disease-free and overall survival. On the other hand, the reactive pattern of stroma composed of larger fibroblasts and less collagenization was associated with the FIGO IB2 stage (p=0.04), larger tumor (p=0.03), and deeper infiltration (p=0.005). There were more recurrences in the group of reactive stroma (33.13% vs. 11.5%), although the difference did not reach statistical significance. Reactive stroma was associated with lower survival free of recurrence (p=0.05) and overall survival (p=0.009). High TILs were associated with squamous cell type (p=0.003), higher tumor grade (p=0.02), and more LVSI (p=0.02). Tumors with higher TILs presented higher free recurrence interval (p=0.06) and overall survival (p=0.03). No association was observed between stroma characteristics and TILs. Conclusions Our study suggested that although immune activation and stromal changes are important features of microenvironment remodeling during tumoral progression, they are independent, following distinct carcinogenetic pathways. Pathological assessment of stroma characteristics and TILs adds significant prognostic information and demonstrates how a simple routine laboratory assessment can generate a better understanding of biological phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailma Larre
- Pathology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Hospital Beneficiencia Portuguesa, Sao Paulo, BRA
| | | | - Giovana J Gerbasi
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Instituto Brasileiro de Controle do Cancer, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Sao Paulo, BRA
| | - Filomena M Carvalho
- Pathology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, BRA
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Gultekin M, Beduk Esen CS, Ates Ozdemir D, Yildirim S, Yuce D, Usubutun A, Yildiz F. Stromal or intraepithelial tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes: which one has more prognostic significance in cervical cancer? Arch Gynecol Obstet 2023; 307:969-980. [PMID: 35840843 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-022-06687-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the effect of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) on treatment results in patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma who underwent definitive or adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT). METHODS Pathological specimens were evaluated from 96 cervical cancer patients who were treated with definitive or adjuvant RT/CRT between April 2001 and January 2020. The percentage of intraepithelial TILs (iTILs) and stromal TILs (sTILs) were calculated, and immunohistochemistry was used for identifying lymphocyte lineage with CD4, CD8, and CD20 antibodies and macrophages with CD68 antibody. Prognostic values of TILs/TAMs on oncological outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS Thirty patients had early-stage disease and 66 patients had advanced-stage disease. Sixty-three and 33 patients received adjuvant RT and definitive CRT, respectively. Low number of sCD20 positive cells was associated with large tumor size and parametrial invasion. In multivariate analysis, low percentage of sTILs and advanced-stage disease were independent poor prognostic factors for overall survival, disease-free survival (DFS), and distant metastasis-free survival; low number of sCD4 positive cells was also an independent poor prognostic factor for DFS. Low percentage of sTILs and low number of sCD8 positive cells was correlated with high rates of distant metastasis (p = 0.038 and p = 0.025, respectively). CONCLUSION sTILs have superior predictive value than iTILs in terms of prognosis. Stromal compartment should be investigated as a routine practice in TIL studies in cervical cancer. Intensifying the treatment in cervical cancer patients with low number of sTILs should be studied in further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melis Gultekin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Deniz Ates Ozdemir
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Selma Yildirim
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Deniz Yuce
- Department of Preventive Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Alp Usubutun
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ferah Yildiz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
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Alteration of Gene and miRNA Expression in Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Cervical Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116054. [PMID: 35682732 PMCID: PMC9180969 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women in terms of prevalence and mortality. Cervical cancer has some particularities that distinguish it from any other oncologic pathology: first, it is completely preventable by prompt detection of its precursor, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN); second, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a known etiological agent; third, the mean age at diagnosis is much lower than in other oncologic conditions, as a consequence of the sexually-transmitted HPV. Methods: We evaluated the expression level of several long noncoding RNAs and a microRNA in samples from 30 patients with CIN, 9 with cervical cancer and 38 normal samples using qRT-PCR technology. Results: We observed higher expression levels for MEG3, DAPK1, MLH1 and MALAT1 in CIN samples than in normal samples, whereas TIMP3 and SOX1 had lower expression levels. For cancer samples, DAPK1, MLH1 and MALAT1 had higher expression, and MEG3, TIMP3 and SOX1 had lower expression when compared to normal samples. In the case of CIN versus cancer samples, only MEG3 gene showed a statistically significant difference. The expression of miR-205-5p was lower in both CIN and cancer samples compared to normal samples. Conclusion: Decreased MEG3 expression could be considered an alarm signal in the transition from a premalignant cervical lesion to invasive cancer, while altered expression levels of TIMP3, SOX1, MLH1, MALAT1 and miR-205-5p could serve as early biomarkers in the diagnosis of premalignant cervical lesions. Future studies, including a larger number of patients with CIN, will be of particular importance in validating these observations.
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Prediction of distant metastatic recurrence by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. BMC WOMENS HEALTH 2021; 21:225. [PMID: 34051785 PMCID: PMC8164786 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-021-01373-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer subtypes are known to have different metastatic recurrence sites. Distant metastases are often observed during the post-operative course in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-enriched breast cancer and triple-negative breast cancer, but are relatively rare in those with hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative (HR+/HER2-) breast cancer. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) serve as an index to monitor tumor immune microenvironment and may possibly predict the prognosis and therapeutic effect in breast cancer. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between TIL density and recurrence site in HR+/HER2- breast cancer. METHODS In stages I-II of HR+/HER2- breast cancer patients who underwent surgery as the first treatment and received adjuvant endocrine therapy (except adjuvant chemotherapy), forty-two patients relapsed after surgery. TILs were evaluated using needle biopsy specimens for the diagnosis of breast cancer. Morphological assessment was conducted using conventional hematoxylin and eosin staining. RESULTS Six patients had no TILs density. In them, local recurrence was significantly less (p = 0.022), while distant metastases were significantly more (p = 0.015) compared to those in patients with TIL density. Therefore, for the prediction of distant metastases in HR+/HER2- breast cancer without chemotherapy, TILs could be used as predictors in univariate analysis (p = 0.015, odds ratio [OR] = 0.127), although not as independent factors (p = 0.285, OR = 0.144). CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that TILs may predict distant metastatic recurrence in stages I-II of HR+/HER2- breast cancer in patients who do not undergo chemotherapy.
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