Analyses of VEGFC/VEGF-D expressions, density and endothelial lymphatic proliferation in salivary gland neoplasms

Thrombospondins in the tumor microenvironment

Many cancers begin with the formation of a small nest of transformed cells that can remain dormant for years. Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) initially promotes dormancy by suppressing angiogenesis, a key early step in tumor progression. Over time, increases in drivers of angiogenesis predominate, and vascular cells, immune cells, and fibroblasts are recruited to the tumor mass forming a complex tissue, designated the tumor microenvironment. Numerous factors, including growth factors, chemokine/cytokine, and extracellular matrix, participate in the desmoplastic response that in many ways mimics wound healing. Vascular and lymphatic endothelial cells, and cancer-associated pericytes, fibroblasts, macrophages and immune cells are recruited to the tumor microenvironment, where multiple members of the TSP gene family promote their proliferation, migration and invasion. The TSPs also affect the immune signature of tumor tissue and the phenotype of tumor-associated macrophages. Consistent with these observations, expression of some TSPs has been established to correlate with poor outcomes in specific types of cancer.

The Relationship between VEGF-C, TAM, and Lymph Node Metastasis in Oral Cancer

Objective

To investigate the relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and tumor-associated macrophages in oral cancer (TAMs) with lymph node metastasis.

Method

From January 2018 to January 2022, 155 cases of oral cancer tissues and 165 cases of normal mucosal tissues were collected from oral surgical resection tissues or biopsy specimens in Hebei Eye Hospital. Oral cancer tissues were observed. The control group had normal mucosal tissues. The clinical and immune parameters were observed and the treatment of oral cancer is also briefly discussed.

Results

The number of TAMs and the expression of VEGF-C in oral cancer tissues were significantly higher than those in normal tissues (P < 0.05). The lymphatic vessel density, the number of TAMs, and the expression of VEGF-C in the metastatic group were higher than in nonmetastatic group, and the lymphatic vessel density, the number of TAMs, and the expression of VEGF-C in the paracancerous tissues were higher than central tumor tissue in the metastatic group (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that the number of TAMs was related to the histological stage and the pathological type of oral cancer (P > 0.05). The expression of VEGF-C was associated with the histological stage of oral cancer (P < 0.05). Compared with the immune function after different treatments, the contents of CD4+ in both groups was higher than before, and the combined treatment group was increased more than single treatment group (P < 0.05). The contents of CD3+ and CD8+ in the two groups were lower than before, and the combined treatment group was decreased higher than combined treatment group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The number of TAMs and the expression of VEGF-C in oral cancer tissues are higher than normal tissues. The number of TAMs and the expression of VEGF-C are higher in patients with lymph node metastasis. TAMs and VEGF-C may play an important role in lymph node metastasis of oral cancer. Integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine can improve the immune function of patients with oral cancer and may improve the therapeutic efficacy.