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Janani M, Poorkhani A, Amiriani T, Donyadideh G, Ahmadi F, Jorjanisorkhankalateh Y, Beheshti-Nia F, Kalaei Z, Roudbaraki M, Soltani M, Khori V, Alizadeh AM. Association of future cancer metastases with fibroblast activation protein-α: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1339050. [PMID: 38751814 PMCID: PMC11094201 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1339050] [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] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP-α) is a vital surface marker of cancer-associated fibroblasts, and its high expression is associated with a higher tumor grade and metastasis. A systematic review and a meta-analysis were performed to associate future metastasis with FAP-α expression in cancer. Methods In our meta-analysis, relevant studies published before 20 February 2024 were systematically searched through online databases that included PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The association between FAP-α expression and metastasis, including distant metastasis, lymph node metastasis, blood vessel invasion, vascular invasion, and neural invasion, was evaluated. A pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was reported as the measure of association. Results A total of 28meta-analysis. The random-effects model for five parameters showed that a high FAP-α expression was associated with blood vessel invasion (OR: 3.04, 95% CI: 1.54-5.99, I 2 = 63%, P = 0.001), lymphovascular invasion (OR: 3.56, 95% CI: 2.14-5.93, I 2 = 0.00%, P < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (OR: 2.73, 95% CI: 1.96-3.81, I 2 = 65%, P < 0.001), and distant metastasis (OR: 2.59; 95% CI: 1.16-5.79, I 2 = 81%, P < 0.001). However, our analysis showed no statistically significant association between high FAP-α expression and neural invasion (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 0.84-2.93, I 2 = 38%, P = 0.161). Conclusions This meta-analysis indicated that cancer cells with a high FAP-α expression have a higher risk of metastasis than those with a low FAP-α expression. These findings support the potential importance of FAP-α as a biomarker for cancer metastasis prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majid Janani
- Breast Disease Research Center, Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhoushang Poorkhani
- Ischemic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Taghi Amiriani
- Ischemic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Ghazaleh Donyadideh
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Farahnazsadat Ahmadi
- Ischemic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | | | - Fereshteh Beheshti-Nia
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Zahra Kalaei
- Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Morad Roudbaraki
- Laboratory of Cell Physiology, Inserm U1003, University of Lille, Villeneuve d’Ascq, France
| | - Mahsa Soltani
- Breast Disease Research Center, Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Khori
- Ischemic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Ali Mohammad Alizadeh
- Breast Disease Research Center, Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Caresia AP, Jo Rosales J, Rodríguez Fraile M, Arçay Öztürk A, Artigas C. PET/CT FAPI: Procedure and evidence review in oncology. Rev Esp Med Nucl Imagen Mol 2024; 43:130-140. [PMID: 38331248 DOI: 10.1016/j.remnie.2024.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Neoplasms are composed of malignant tumor cells, which are surrounded by other non-tumor cellular elements, in what has been defined as the microenvironment or tumor stroma. Evidence on the importance of the tumor microenvironment has not stopped growing in recent years. It plays a central role in cell proliferation, tissue invasion, angiogenesis and cell migration. The paradigm is the family of new FAPI radiopharmaceuticals that show the density of the fibroblast activation protein (FAP) which is overexpressed in the cell membrane of activated cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), and its presence is related to poor prognosis. This educational document includes the procedure for performing PET/CT FAPI, biodistribution and the main potentially clinical applications in oncology to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P Caresia
- Servei e Medicina Nuclear, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain.
| | - J Jo Rosales
- Servicio de Medicina Nuclear, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - M Rodríguez Fraile
- Servicio de Medicina Nuclear, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - A Arçay Öztürk
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - C Artigas
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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Borgonje PE, Andrews LM, Herder GJM, de Klerk JMH. Performance and Prospects of [ 68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT Scans in Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14225566. [PMID: 36428657 PMCID: PMC9688494 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14225566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) could be a promising target for tumor imaging and therapy, as it is expressed in >90% of epithelial cancers. A high level of FAP-expression might be associated with worse prognosis in several cancer types, including lung cancer. FAPI binds this protein and allows for labelling to Gallium-68, as well as several therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. As FAP is only expressed at insignificant levels in adult normal tissue, FAPI provides a highly specific tumor-marker for many epithelial cancers. In this review, current information on the use of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT in lung cancer is presented. [68Ga]Ga-FAPI shows a high uptake (standardized uptake value = SUVmax) and tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) in primary lung cancer lesions, as well as in metastatic lesions of other tumor types located in the lung and in lung cancer metastases located throughout the body. Where a comparison was made to [18F]FDG PET/CT, [68Ga]Ga-FAPI showed a similar or higher SUVmax and TBR. In brain and bone metastases, [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT outperformed [18F]FDG PET/CT. In addition to this strong diagnostic performance, a possible prognostic value of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT in lung cancer is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula E. Borgonje
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Meander Medical Center, Maatweg 3, 3813 TZ Amersfoort, The Netherlands
| | - Louise M. Andrews
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Meander Medical Center, Maatweg 3, 3813 TZ Amersfoort, The Netherlands
| | - Gerarda J. M. Herder
- Department of Pulmonology, Meander Medical Center, Maatweg 3, 3813 TZ Amersfoort, The Netherlands
| | - John M. H. de Klerk
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Meander Medical Center, Maatweg 3, 3813 TZ Amersfoort, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-33-850-5050
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Peltier A, Seban RD, Buvat I, Bidard FC, Mechta-Grigoriou F. Fibroblast heterogeneity in solid tumors: From single cell analysis to whole-body imaging. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:262-272. [PMID: 35489628 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) represent the most prominent component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Recent studies demonstrated that CAF are heterogeneous and composed of different subpopulations exerting distinct functions in cancer. CAF populations differentially modulate various aspects of tumor growth, including cancer cell proliferation, extra-cellular matrix remodeling, metastatic dissemination, immunosuppression and resistance to treatment. Among other markers, the Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) led to the identification of a specific CAF subpopulation involved in metastatic spread and immunosuppression. Expression of FAP at the surface of CAF is detected in many different cancer types of poor prognosis. Thus, FAP recently appears as an appealing target for therapeutic and molecular imaging applications. In that context, 68Ga-labeled radiopharmaceutical-FAP-inhibitors (FAPI) have been recently developed and validated for quantitatively mapping FAP expression over the whole-body using Positron Emission Tomography (PET/CT). In this review, we describe the main current knowledge on CAF subpopulations and their distinct functions in solid tumors, as well as the promising diagnostic and therapeutic implications of radionuclides targeting FAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agathe Peltier
- Institut Curie, Stress and Cancer Laboratory, Equipe labélisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, PSL Research University, 26, rue d'Ulm, F-75248 Paris, France; Inserm, U830, 26, rue d'Ulm, Paris, F-75005 France
| | - Romain-David Seban
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Institut Curie Hospital Group, 35 rue Dailly, 92210 Saint-Cloud, France; Laboratoire d'Imagerie Translationnelle en Oncologie (LITO), U1288 Inserm, Institut Curie, Orsay, France
| | - Irène Buvat
- Laboratoire d'Imagerie Translationnelle en Oncologie (LITO), U1288 Inserm, Institut Curie, Orsay, France.
| | - François-Clément Bidard
- Department of Medical Oncology, Inserm CIC-BT 1428, Institut Curie, UVSQ/Paris Saclay University, Saint-Cloud, France.
| | - Fatima Mechta-Grigoriou
- Institut Curie, Stress and Cancer Laboratory, Equipe labélisée par la Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, PSL Research University, 26, rue d'Ulm, F-75248 Paris, France; Inserm, U830, 26, rue d'Ulm, Paris, F-75005 France.
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Yanagawa N, Sugai M, Shikanai S, Sugimoto R, Osakabe M, Uesugi N, Saito H, Maemondo M, Sugai T. High expression of fibroblast-activating protein is a prognostic marker in non-small cell lung carcinoma. Thorac Cancer 2022; 13:2377-2384. [PMID: 35818720 PMCID: PMC9376177 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.14579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fibroblast‐activating protein (FAP) is expressed in cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in many human carcinomas and in some types of carcinoma cells. Here, we examined the proportion of FAP protein expression in non‐small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and investigated the correlation of FAP expression with clinicopathological background. Methods In total, 344 NSCLC tissues were examined. Tissue microarrays were constructed, and FAP expression was analyzed using immunohistochemistry. The status of FAP expression in tumor cells and CAFs was correlated with clinicopathological background, molecular features, and patient outcomes. Results A total of 280 patients (81.4%) had low FAP expression, and 64 patients (18.6%) had high FAP expression in tumor cells. In CAFs, 230 patients (66.9%) had low FAP expression, and 114 patients (33.1%) had high FAP expression. In multivariate analyses, high FAP expression in tumor cells was an independent predictive factor of both overall survival (OS; hazard ratio [HR] = 2.57, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.49–4.42, p < 0.001) and recurrence‐free survival (RFS; HR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.38–3.29, p < 0.001). Based on combinations of FAP expression in tumor cells and CAFs, patients with LowT/LowCAFs had better OS and RFS than did those in the other subgroups. By contrast, patients with HighT/HighCAFs had poor OS and RFS compared with those in the other subgroups. Conclusions Overall, FAP expression in tumor cells and the combination FAP expression in tumor cells and CAFs were strongly associated with patient survival and may be useful predictive biomarkers for patient outcomes in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Yanagawa
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
| | - Mayu Sugai
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Shikanai
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
| | - Ryo Sugimoto
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
| | - Mitsumasa Osakabe
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Uesugi
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
| | - Hajime Saito
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
| | - Makoto Maemondo
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
| | - Tamotsu Sugai
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-gun, Japan
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Wu J, Deng H, Zhong H, Wang T, Rao Z, Wang Y, Chen Y, Zhang C. Comparison of 68Ga-FAPI and 18F-FDG PET/CT in the Evaluation of Patients With Newly Diagnosed Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:924223. [PMID: 35860594 PMCID: PMC9289292 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.924223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Several studies have demonstrated that 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT shows high intratumoral tracer uptake and low normal tissue uptake, allowing for excellent visualization of cancer. The purpose of this study was to compare the ability of 68Ga-FAPI and 18F-FDG PET/CT for the evaluation of newly diagnosed NSCLC. Materials and Methods A prospective analysis of 28 individuals with histopathologically newly confirmed NSCLC that underwent 68Ga-FAPI and 18F-FDG PET/CT was conducted. The performance of two imaging modalities was compared based upon visual assessment, rates of cancer detection, and semi-quantitative parameters (target-to-background ratio [TBR], maximum standard uptake value [SUVmax]) for both primary tumors and metastases. Results In total, this study enrolled 28 participants (13 male, 15 female; median age: 60.5 years, range: 34 – 78 years. <u>For primary tumors, 68Ga-FAPI and 18F-FDG PET/CT have similar detection performance (28 vs. 27). However, 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT was found to more effectively evaluate most metastases as compared to 18F-FDG PET/CT. 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT detecting more metastases present within the lymph nodes (53 vs. 49), pleura (8 vs. 7), liver (4 vs. 1), and bone (41 vs. 35).</u> The SUVmax and TBR values for 68Ga-FAPI were substantially superior to those for 18F-FDG in lymph node, pleural, and bone metastases. While the SUVmax for these two imaging approaches was comparable for hepatic metastases, 68Ga-FAPI exhibited a significantly higher TBR in relation to that of 18F-FDG. In addition, 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT demonstrates excellent N (80% [8/10]) and M (92.9% [26/28]) staging accuracy in NSCLC patients. Conclusions 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT as an examination modality is excellent for evaluation of newly diagnosed NSCLC. 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT improves the detection rates of most metastases and facilitating the superior staging of patients with newly diagnosed NSCLC, relative to that achieved by 18F-FDG PET/CT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhao Wu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, China
- Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, China
| | - Hao Deng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, China
- Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, China
| | - Haoshu Zhong
- Department of Hematology, Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Stem Cell Laboratory, The Clinical Research Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of the General Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Zijuan Rao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, China
- Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, China
| | - Yingwei Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, China
- Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, China
| | - Yue Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, China
- Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, China
| | - Chunyin Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, China
- Academician (Expert) Workstation of Sichuan Province, Luzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Chunyin Zhang,
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Sugai M, Yanagawa N, Shikanai S, Hashimoto M, Saikawa H, Osakabe M, Saito H, Maemondo M, Sugai T. Correlation of tumor microenvironment-related markers with clinical outcomes in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2022; 11:975-990. [PMID: 35832444 PMCID: PMC9271437 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-22-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Background Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the major histological type in lung cancer (LC). The tumor microenvironment (TME) drives tumor progression and metastasis. In the TME, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play key roles in carcinogenesis. However, the roles of CAFs in lung SCC remain unknown. In this study, we evaluated whether the CAF phenotype was determined by various CAF-related proteins and whether CAF-related protein expression contributed to clinical outcomes in patients with lung SCC. Methods We examined the associations of CAF- and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers expressed in CAFs, including α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), CD10, podoplanin, fibroblast-specific protein 1 (FSP1), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) α, PDGFRβ, adipocyte enhancer-binding protein 1 (AEBP1), fibroblast activation protein (FAP), tenascin-C, Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1), and twist homolog 1 gene (TWIST1), in 108 lung SCC tissues using immunohistochemistry. In addition, cluster analysis was used to identify objective expression patterns of immunohistochemical markers. Finally, the CD3/CD8 ratio was evaluated in order to identify the associations of CAF-related proteins with the CD3/CD8 ratio using immunohistochemistry. Results SCC samples were classified into two subgroups (CAF-phenotype), which were significantly correlated with disease-free and overall survival using univariate and multivariate analyses. Moreover, high AEBP1 expression was identified as an independent prognostic marker in this cohort by univariate and multivariate analyses. The CD3/CD8 ratio was not correlated with the CAF-phenotype. Conclusions The presence of a specific subgroup defined by multiple markers could be used for prediction of prognosis in patients with lung SCC. In addition, AEBP1 overexpression played key roles in prediction of a poor prognosis in patients with lung SCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayu Sugai
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwagun, Japan.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwagun, Japan
| | - Naoki Yanagawa
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwagun, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Shikanai
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwagun, Japan
| | - Mai Hashimoto
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwagun, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Saikawa
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwagun, Japan
| | - Mitsumasa Osakabe
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwagun, Japan
| | - Hajime Saito
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwagun, Japan
| | - Makoto Maemondo
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwagun, Japan
| | - Tamotsu Sugai
- Department of Molecular Diagnostic Pathology, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwagun, Japan
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Xin L, Gao J, Zheng Z, Chen Y, Lv S, Zhao Z, Yu C, Yang X, Zhang R. Fibroblast Activation Protein-α as a Target in the Bench-to-Bedside Diagnosis and Treatment of Tumors: A Narrative Review. Front Oncol 2021; 11:648187. [PMID: 34490078 PMCID: PMC8416977 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.648187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP) is a type II integral serine protease that is specifically expressed by activated fibroblasts. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor stroma have an abundant and stable expression of FAP, which plays an important role in promoting tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, and immunosuppression. For example, in females with a high incidence of breast cancer, CAFs account for 50–70% of the cells in the tumor’s microenvironment. CAF overexpression of FAP promotes tumor development and metastasis by influencing extracellular matrix remodeling, intracellular signaling, angiogenesis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and immunosuppression. This review discusses the basic biological characteristics of FAP and its applications in the diagnosis and treatment of various cancers. We review the emerging basic and clinical research data regarding the use of nanomaterials that target FAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Xin
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jinfang Gao
- Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Taiyuan, China
| | - Ziliang Zheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yiyou Chen
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Shuxin Lv
- Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Taiyuan, China
| | - Zhikai Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Chunhai Yu
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiaotang Yang
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Ruiping Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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Irvine AF, Waise S, Green EW, Stuart B, Thomas GJ. Characterising cancer-associated fibroblast heterogeneity in non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3727. [PMID: 33580106 PMCID: PMC7881148 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81796-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a key component of the tumour microenvironment with evidence suggesting they represent a heterogeneous population. This study summarises the prognostic role of all proteins characterised in CAFs with immunohistochemistry in non-small cell lung cancer thus far. The functions of these proteins in cellular processes crucial to CAFs are also analysed. Five databases were searched to extract survival outcomes from published studies and statistical techniques, including a novel method, used to capture missing values from the literature. A total of 26 proteins were identified, 21 of which were combined into 7 common cellular processes key to CAFs. Quality assessments for sensitivity analyses were carried out for each study using the REMARK criteria whilst publication bias was assessed using funnel plots. Random effects models consistently identified the expression of podoplanin (Overall Survival (OS)/Disease-specific Survival (DSS), univariate analysis HR 2.25, 95% CIs 1.80-2.82) and α-SMA (OS/DSS, univariate analysis HR 2.11, 95% CIs 1.18-3.77) in CAFs as highly prognostic regardless of outcome measure or analysis method. Moreover, proteins involved in maintaining and generating the CAF phenotype (α-SMA, TGF-β and p-Smad2) proved highly significant after sensitivity analysis (HR 2.74, 95% CIs 1.74-4.33) supporting attempts at targeting this pathway for therapeutic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew F Irvine
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
- Department of Pathology and Data Analytics, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
| | - Sara Waise
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Edward W Green
- The German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Beth Stuart
- Primary Care and Population Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Gareth J Thomas
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
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Hass R, von der Ohe J, Ungefroren H. Impact of the Tumor Microenvironment on Tumor Heterogeneity and Consequences for Cancer Cell Plasticity and Stemness. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123716. [PMID: 33322354 PMCID: PMC7764513 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor heterogeneity is considered the major cause of treatment failure in current cancer therapies. This feature of solid tumors is not only the result of clonal outgrowth of cells with genetic mutations, but also of epigenetic alterations induced by physical and chemical signals from the tumor microenvironment (TME). Besides fibroblasts, endothelial and immune cells, mesenchymal stroma/stem-like cells (MSCs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) intimately crosstalk with cancer cells and can exhibit both anti- and pro-tumorigenic effects. MSCs can alter cancer cellular phenotypes to increase cancer cell plasticity, eventually resulting in the generation of cancer stem cells (CSCs). The shift between different phenotypic states (phenotype switching) of CSCs is controlled via both genetic programs, such as epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation or retrodifferentiation, and epigenetic alterations triggered by signals from the TME, like hypoxia, spatial heterogeneity or stromal cell-derived chemokines. Finally, we highlight the role of spontaneous cancer cell fusion with various types of stromal cells. i.e., MSCs in shaping CSC plasticity. A better understanding of cell plasticity and phenotype shifting in CSCs is a prerequisite for exploiting this phenomenon to reduce tumor heterogeneity, thereby improving the chance for therapy success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Hass
- Biochemistry and Tumor Biology Lab, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-511-532-6070; Fax: +49-511-532-6071
| | - Juliane von der Ohe
- Biochemistry and Tumor Biology Lab, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Hendrik Ungefroren
- First Department of Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, 23538 Lübeck, Germany;
- Department of General Surgery, Visceral, Thoracic, Transplantation and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany
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11
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Meng Q, Luo X, Chen J, Wang D, Chen E, Zhang W, Zhang G, Zhou W, Xu J, Song Z. Unmasking carcinoma-associated fibroblasts: Key transformation player within the tumor microenvironment. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1874:188443. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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12
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Ebert LM, Yu W, Gargett T, Toubia J, Kollis PM, Tea MN, Ebert BW, Bardy C, van den Hurk M, Bonder CS, Manavis J, Ensbey KS, Oksdath Mansilla M, Scheer KG, Perrin SL, Ormsby RJ, Poonnoose S, Koszyca B, Pitson SM, Day BW, Gomez GA, Brown MP. Endothelial, pericyte and tumor cell expression in glioblastoma identifies fibroblast activation protein (FAP) as an excellent target for immunotherapy. Clin Transl Immunology 2020; 9:e1191. [PMID: 33082953 PMCID: PMC7557106 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Targeted immunotherapies such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells are emerging as attractive treatment options for glioblastoma, but rely on identification of a suitable tumor antigen. We validated a new target antigen for glioblastoma, fibroblast activation protein (FAP), by undertaking a detailed expression study of human samples. Methods Glioblastoma and normal tissues were assessed using immunostaining, supported by analyses of published transcriptomic datasets. Short-term cultures of glioma neural stem (GNS) cells were compared to cultures of healthy astrocytes and neurons using flow cytometry. Glioblastoma tissues were dissociated and analysed by high-parameter flow cytometry and single-cell transcriptomics (scRNAseq). Results Compared to normal brain, FAP was overexpressed at the gene and protein level in a large percentage of glioblastoma tissues, with highest levels of expression associated with poorer prognosis. FAP was also overexpressed in several paediatric brain cancers. FAP was commonly expressed by cultured GNS cells but absent from normal neurons and astrocytes. Within glioblastoma tissues, the strongest expression of FAP was around blood vessels. In fact, almost every tumor vessel was highlighted by FAP expression, whereas normal tissue vessels and cultured endothelial cells (ECs) lacked expression. Single-cell analyses of dissociated tumors facilitated a detailed characterisation of the main cellular components of the glioblastoma microenvironment and revealed that vessel-localised FAP is because of expression on both ECs and pericytes. Conclusion Fibroblast activation protein is expressed by multiple cell types within glioblastoma, highlighting it as an ideal immunotherapy antigen to target destruction of both tumor cells and their supporting vascular network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Ebert
- Centre for Cancer Biology SA Pathology and University of South Australia Adelaide Australia.,Adelaide Medical School University of Adelaide Adelaide Australia
| | - Wenbo Yu
- Centre for Cancer Biology SA Pathology and University of South Australia Adelaide Australia
| | - Tessa Gargett
- Centre for Cancer Biology SA Pathology and University of South Australia Adelaide Australia.,Adelaide Medical School University of Adelaide Adelaide Australia
| | - John Toubia
- Centre for Cancer Biology SA Pathology and University of South Australia Adelaide Australia
| | - Paris M Kollis
- Centre for Cancer Biology SA Pathology and University of South Australia Adelaide Australia.,Adelaide Medical School University of Adelaide Adelaide Australia
| | - Melinda N Tea
- Centre for Cancer Biology SA Pathology and University of South Australia Adelaide Australia
| | - Brenton W Ebert
- Centre for Cancer Biology SA Pathology and University of South Australia Adelaide Australia
| | - Cedric Bardy
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) Adelaide Australia.,College of Medicine & Public Health Flinders University Adelaide Australia
| | - Mark van den Hurk
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) Adelaide Australia.,College of Medicine & Public Health Flinders University Adelaide Australia
| | - Claudine S Bonder
- Centre for Cancer Biology SA Pathology and University of South Australia Adelaide Australia.,Adelaide Medical School University of Adelaide Adelaide Australia
| | - Jim Manavis
- Adelaide Medical School University of Adelaide Adelaide Australia
| | - Kathleen S Ensbey
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology Sid Faithfull Brain Cancer Laboratory QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute Brisbane QLD Australia
| | | | - Kaitlin G Scheer
- Centre for Cancer Biology SA Pathology and University of South Australia Adelaide Australia.,Clinical and Health Sciences University of South Australia Adelaide Australia
| | - Sally L Perrin
- Centre for Cancer Biology SA Pathology and University of South Australia Adelaide Australia.,Clinical and Health Sciences University of South Australia Adelaide Australia
| | - Rebecca J Ormsby
- College of Medicine & Public Health Flinders University Adelaide Australia
| | - Santosh Poonnoose
- College of Medicine & Public Health Flinders University Adelaide Australia.,Department of Neurosurgery Flinders Medical Centre Bedford Park Australia
| | - Barbara Koszyca
- Department of Anatomical Pathology SA Pathology Adelaide Australia
| | - Stuart M Pitson
- Centre for Cancer Biology SA Pathology and University of South Australia Adelaide Australia.,Adelaide Medical School University of Adelaide Adelaide Australia
| | - Bryan W Day
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology Sid Faithfull Brain Cancer Laboratory QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute Brisbane QLD Australia.,Faculty of Health Queensland University of Technology Brisbane QLD Australia.,Faculty of Medicine The University of Queensland Brisbane QLD Australia
| | - Guillermo A Gomez
- Centre for Cancer Biology SA Pathology and University of South Australia Adelaide Australia
| | - Michael P Brown
- Centre for Cancer Biology SA Pathology and University of South Australia Adelaide Australia.,Adelaide Medical School University of Adelaide Adelaide Australia.,Cancer Clinical Trials Unit Royal Adelaide Hospital Adelaide Australia
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13
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Li F, Wu X, Sun Z, Cai P, Wu L, Li D. Fibroblast Activation Protein-α Expressing Fibroblasts Promote Lymph Node Metastasis in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:8141-8148. [PMID: 32884296 PMCID: PMC7434567 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s257529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains one of the most common malignancies in China and has a high metastasis rate and poor prognosis. Fibroblast activation protein-α (FAP-α) is a serine peptidase the expression of which in cancer-associated fibroblasts has been associated with a higher risk of metastases and poor survival. This study aimed to analyze the correlation of FAP-α expression with the lymph node metastasis and prognostic significance in ESCC. Methods FAP-α expression was examined in 121 resected ESCC specimens and 10 adjacent normal tissue using immunohistochemistry. FAP-α expression was scored in the stromal fibroblasts adjacent to neoplastic nests. A chi-square test was used to analyze the correlation between FAP-α expression in tumors stromal and lymph node metastasis of ESCC. The association between FAP-α expression and prognosis was evaluated using univariable and multivariable statistical modeling. Results FAP-α expression was absent in the benign controls. FAP-α expression was evident in the stromal 37% (45/121) of ESCC. Expression of FAP-α level is significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (p=0.023), but it is not correlated to age, gender, and tumor location in ESCC patients. Stromal FAP-α expression was significantly associated with poor survival in univariable (HR 2.009; 95% CI 1.259–3.205; p=0.003) and multivariable analysis (HR 1.833; 95% CI 1.144–2.937; p=0.012). Conclusion FAP-α may be an important regulator in lymph node metastasis of ESCC and may provide a novel therapeutic target in ESCC. ![]()
Point your SmartPhone at the code above. If you have a QR code reader the video abstract will appear. Or use: https://youtu.be/MBJOomBEfIE
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Li
- Department of Radiotherapy, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xia Wu
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhixiang Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Cai
- Department of Radiotherapy, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, People's Republic of China
| | - Ligao Wu
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, People's Republic of China
| | - Duojie Li
- Department of Radiotherapy, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233000, People's Republic of China
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14
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Shi J, Hou Z, Yan J, Qiu W, Liang L, Meng M, Li L, Wang X, Xie Y, Jiang L, Wang W. The prognostic significance of fibroblast activation protein-α in human lung adenocarcinoma. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2020; 8:224. [PMID: 32309371 PMCID: PMC7154482 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2020.01.82] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Background Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is a type II cell surface-bound integral serine protease, which is an important biomarker of cancer-associated fibroblasts. FAP-α performs several biological activities, including remolding extracellular matrix and acting as an immunosuppressor in the tumor microenvironment. However, the proliferation role of FAP-α in human lung adenocarcinoma has not been fully elucidated. Methods The expression of FAP-α in 94-paired human lung adenocarcinoma tissues was identified by immunohistochemistry test. The effect of FAP on cell proliferation was examined by CCK-8 assay. RNA-sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were utilized to investigate the underlying mechanism. Western blot analysis, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and nude mice experiments, were also conducted for further validation. Results The proliferation rates of human fibroblast strains FAP-HFF and FAP-BJ, and human lung adenocarcinoma cell line FAP-SPC-A-1 were higher than those of controls. The nude mice experiment also showed that FAP could promote the proliferation of SPC-A-1 cell line in vivo. qPCR and Western blot analysis indicated that CCNB1 was upregulated by the overexpression of FAP in the lung adenocarcinoma cell line. The expression of FAP-α was higher in both the cytoplasm and stroma of lung adenocarcinoma than in adjacent normal tissues. Survival analysis indicated that patients with higher expression of FAP-α in tumor stroma had a poor prognosis (P=0.019). The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) data also showed that the expression of FAP within tumor tissues was higher (in both cytoplasm and stroma) compared with that in normal tissues (P<0.05). Conclusions Our study indicates that FAP-α could facilitate the proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma cells and can be a prognostic marker in human lung adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianlin Shi
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650051, China.,Key Laboratory of Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650051, Yunnan, China
| | - Zongliu Hou
- Key Laboratory of Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650051, Yunnan, China.,Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunological Prevention and Treatment of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650051, China
| | - Jun Yan
- Key Laboratory of Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650051, Yunnan, China.,Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunological Prevention and Treatment of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650051, China
| | - Wanfang Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunological Prevention and Treatment of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650051, China.,Department of Ultrasound, Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming 650228, China
| | - Luxin Liang
- Key Laboratory of Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650051, Yunnan, China.,Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunological Prevention and Treatment of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650051, China
| | - Mingyao Meng
- Key Laboratory of Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650051, Yunnan, China.,Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunological Prevention and Treatment of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650051, China
| | - Lin Li
- Key Laboratory of Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650051, Yunnan, China.,Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunological Prevention and Treatment of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650051, China
| | - Xiaodan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650051, Yunnan, China.,Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunological Prevention and Treatment of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650051, China
| | - Yanhua Xie
- Key Laboratory of Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650051, Yunnan, China.,Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunological Prevention and Treatment of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650051, China
| | - Lihong Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650051, Yunnan, China.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650051, China
| | - Wenju Wang
- Key Laboratory of Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650051, Yunnan, China.,Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunological Prevention and Treatment of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650051, China
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15
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Chen L, Qin Y, Zhang T, Ding N, Chen Y, Zhang Z, Guo C. Clinical significance of cancer-associated fibroblasts and their correlation with microvessel and lymphatic vessel density in lung adenocarcinoma. J Clin Lab Anal 2019; 33:e22832. [PMID: 30737838 PMCID: PMC6528563 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.22832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To determine whether cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are associated with microvessel density (MVD) and lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) or are not prognostic. Methods Ninety‐three lung adenocarcinoma patients without adjuvant therapy between January 2010 and June 2011 were enrolled. CAFs, MVD, and LVD were identified by α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), CD34 and D2‐40 staining via immunohistochemistry. Staining intensities were assessed and quantified. For statistics, Pearson's chi‐square test, logistic regression, Kaplan‐Meier, and log‐rank tests were applied. In addition, the Cox proportional hazards model was used for multifactor analysis to predict survival. Results CAFs abundance in lung adenocarcinoma is associated with higher MVD and LVD. In addition, a correlation was demonstrated between MVD and LVD (P < 0.05). CAFs, MVD, and LVD are significantly correlating with age, tumor size, differentiation grade, clinical stage, and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05), but not influenced by gender, tumor location, and smoking history. Three‐year overall survival in the CAFs‐poor group is 64.5%, which is significant higher than that in the CAFs‐rich cohort (41.9%). Further, we found that age, clinical stage, α‐SMA, CD34, D2‐40 positivity, tumor size, differentiation grade, and lymph node metastasis significantly correlate with overall survival of patients with lung adenocarcinoma. However, sex, smoking history, and tumor location have no association with 3‐year survival. The clinical stage is an independent prognostic factor in overall survival (P < 0.05). Conclusions The density of CAFs identified by α‐SMA staining is associated with progression and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma and affects the patient's disease outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Chen
- Department of Oncology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Yue Qin
- Department of Oncology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Tenglong Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Ning Ding
- Department of Oncology, University of Qingdao Medical School, Qingdao, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Department of Oncology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Chengye Guo
- Department of Oncology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
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