Open AccessCorrelation between CXCR4/CXCR7/CXCL12 chemokine axis expression and prognosis in lymph‐node‐positive lung cancer patients
Author(s) -
Katsura Masakazu,
Shoji Fumihiro,
Okamoto Tatsuro,
Shimamatsu Shinichiro,
Hirai Fumihiko,
Toyokawa Gouji,
Morodomi Yosuke,
Tagawa Tetsuzo,
Oda Yoshinao,
Maehara Yoshihiko
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
cancer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1349-7006
pISSN - 1347-9032
DOI - 10.1111/cas.13422
Subject(s) - chemokine , stromal cell , cxcr4 , lung cancer , lymph , medicine , lymph node , stromal cell derived factor 1 , metastasis , cancer research , cancer , pathology , oncology , inflammation
The CXCR 4/ CXCR 7/ CXCL 12 chemokine axis plays important roles in the migration of tumor cells during cancer development by modulating site‐specific distant metastasis including to regional lymph nodes. We investigated the correlation of these chemokine expressions to prognosis in lymph‐node‐positive non‐small‐cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ) patients. A total of 140 surgically resected specimens of primary site ( PS ) and metastatic lymph nodes ( MLN ) of NSCLC involving hilar and/or mediastinal lymph nodes (N1‐2) were collected. CXCR 4, CXCR 7 and CXCL 12 expressions were evaluated. Cox regression analysis was performed to determine whether these chemokines were independent prognostic factors in N1‐2 NSCLC . High expression of CXCR 4 in PS and CXCL 12 in MLN was associated with poor overall survival ( OS ) ( P = .025 and .033, respectively). Significant correlations between CXCR 4 expression in PS and CXCL 12 expression in MLN were observed ( P = .040). There was significant difference in OS between 2 groups according to expressions of CXCR 4 in PS and CXCL 12 in MLN ( P = .0033). Expression of CXCL 12 in MLN was identified as an independent prognostic factor ( HR 1.79, 95% CI 1.08‐3.04, P = .023). CXCL 12 in MLN was mainly expressed by tumor cells compared with stromal cells (56% vs 25%, respectively, P < .0001). CXCR 4/ CXCL 12 may play roles in tumor progression in MLN and is associated with poor prognosis of lymph‐node‐positive NSCLC patients.