Open AccessImpact of tumor‐associated macrophages on invasive ductal carcinoma of the pancreas head
Author(s) -
Yoshikawa Kiyoshi,
Mitsunaga Shuichi,
Kinoshita Taira,
Konishi Masaru,
Takahashi Shinichiro,
Gotohda Naoto,
Kato Yuichiro,
Aizawa Masaki,
Ochiai Atsushi
Publication year - 2012
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/j.1349-7006.2012.02411.x
Subject(s) - pathology , pancreas , medicine , pancreatic cancer , immunohistochemistry , pancreatitis , macrophage , inflammation , ductal carcinoma , cancer , biology , in vitro , breast cancer , biochemistry
Tumor‐associated macrophages ( TAM s) are candidate histological factors in invasive ductal carcinoma ( IDC ) of the pancreas. Tumor‐associated macrophages can be affected by cancer‐related inflammation and pancreatitis and interact with important invasive behavior in a recurrent manner in pancreatic IDC . These features may help elucidate the aggressiveness of pancreatic IDC . The aim of this study was to characterize TAM s in pancreatic IDC in comparison with chronic pancreatitis ( CP ) and to reveal TAM ‐related factors and the clinical impact of TAM s. CD 68 (a pan‐macrophage marker) and CD 204 (an M 2 macrophage marker) immunohistochemistry was carried out in pancreas head specimens from 107 IDC cases and 11 CP cases. Immunopositive cell areas were calculated at the periphery and center of the tumor. The distributions of macrophages in IDC and CP and the relationship between TAM s and histological tumor factors, survival, and recurrence were evaluated. Macrophages were more frequently observed in the lesion periphery than the center in IDC and CP . The density of macrophages was elevated in IDC compared to CP . Dense M 2 macrophages at the tumor periphery were frequently seen in large tumors and showed an independent impact on overall survival and disease‐free time. Early recurrence in the liver or the local manipulated area was associated with high accumulation of peripheral M 2 macrophages. More M 2 macrophages were seen in IDC than in CP in both the periphery and the center. High numbers of peripheral M 2 macrophages were associated with large tumor size, early recurrence in the liver, local recurrence, and shortened survival time in patients with pancreatic IDC . ( Cancer Sci, doi: 10.1111/j.1349‐7006.2012.02411.x, 2012)