Expression of chemokine receptors in angiosarcoma

Angiosarcoma is a rapidly progressing malignant skin tumor associated with a poor prognosis. We report an immunohistochemical investigation of chemokine receptors in angiosarcoma. The aim is to investigate chemokine receptor expression and, if it is expressed, to histologically discuss its association with age, sex, development site, and histological type. Analyzed were 12 angiosarcoma samples (mean patient age: 75.7 years old) collected by biopsy or surgery from patients at our department by comparing with 4 granuloma telangiectaticum samples (mean patient age: 37.5 years old) and 16 healthy skin samples as controls. CXCR4, CCR6, CCR7, and SDF-1 expressions were immunohistochemically investigated. CXCR4 expression was positive in 6 of the 12 samples. CCR6 and CCR7 were negative in all samples. SDF-1 was positive in 4 samples. Out of the 6 CXCR4-positive samples, 4 were SDF-1-positive. No significant difference associated with age, sex, development site, or histological type was noted in the expression of CXCR4, CCR6, CCR7, or SDF-1. Although CXCR4 is regarded as an index of tumor aggressiveness of malignant melanoma, it is suggested that chemokine receptors, such as CXCR4, do not serve as useful markers of angiosarcoma.