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  • Stromal expression of cancer-associated fibroblast-related molecules, versican and lumican, is strongly associated with worse relapse-free and overall survival times in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Stromal expression of cancer-associated fibroblast-related molecules, versican and lumican, is strongly associated with worse relapse-free and overall survival times in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Oncology letters (2021-04-20)
Naoto Yamauchi, Yasuyuki Kanke, Katsuharu Saito, Hirokazu Okayama, Shoki Yamada, Shotaro Nakajima, Eisei Endo, Koji Kase, Leo Yamada, Hiroshi Nakano, Takuro Matsumoto, Hiroyuki Hanayama, Yohei Watanabe, Suguru Hayase, Motonobu Saito, Zenichiro Saze, Kosaku Mimura, Tomoyuki Momma, Shinji Oki, Yuko Hashimoto, Koji Kono
ABSTRACT

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment play an essential role in the tumor progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The present study aimed to investigate the expression of CAF-related molecules, versican, periostin and lumican, in cancer stroma, to provide prognostic stratification for patients with ESCC after surgery. A total of 106 patients with ESCC who underwent curative esophagectomy without preoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy were enrolled. The expression of CAF-related stromal proteins, including versican, periostin and lumican, was examined using immunohistochemistry, and the prognostic value was assessed by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and univariate and multivariate Cox regression models. The expression of versican, periostin and lumican was found specifically in the stromal component of ESCC. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that, compared with a low expression level, a high expression level of versican, periostin or lumican in the cancer stroma was significantly associated with worse relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival times in patients with ESCC. The prognostic values of stromal versican and lumican remained significant in a stratified analysis of stage I patients. Moreover, univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that high stromal versican or lumican expression was an independent prognostic factor for RFS in the patients. The present study demonstrated that CAF-related molecules, including versican, periostin and lumican, were expressed in the stroma of ESCC, and that stromal expression of versican and lumican in particular may have clinical utility as a prognostic biomarker for poor RFS in postoperative patients with ESCC.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Anti-LUM antibody produced in rabbit, Prestige Antibodies® Powered by Atlas Antibodies, affinity isolated antibody, buffered aqueous glycerol solution
Sigma-Aldrich
Anti-VCAN antibody produced in rabbit, Prestige Antibodies® Powered by Atlas Antibodies, affinity isolated antibody, buffered aqueous glycerol solution