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Decrease in ICAM-1 expression on gastric cancer cells is correlated with lymph node metastasis
Tomofumi Fujihara1, Masakazu Yashiro, Toru Inoue
1First Department of Surgery, Osaka City University Medical School, 1-4-3 Asahimachi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Japan.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Lymph node metastasis is a frequent type of metastasis in patients with gastric cancer. The mechanisms responsible for this type of metastasis, however, are not clearly understood. We hypothesize that the immunosurveillance system between cancer cells and lymphocytes may be associated with the lymph node metastatic process. In this study, we examined the correlation between lymph node metastasis and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), which mediates the immunosurveillance system between tumor cells and cytotoxic lymphocytes, in gastric cancer.METHODS: One hundred and forty-three specimens resected from patients with gastric cancer were investigated by staining with a monoclonal antibody against ICAM-1. We studied the correlation between the expression of ICAM-1 and various clinicopathologic factors, as well as infiltration of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs).RESULTS: ICAM-1 expression on gastric cancer cells was significantly decreased in patients with lymph node metastasis. The infiltration of TILs was associated with ICAM-1 expression level. The prognosis of patients with ICAM-1-negative tumors was poorer than the prognosis of those with ICAM-1-positive tumors.CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that ICAM-1 expression on cancer cells is closely associated with lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer, under the influence of the host immunosurveillance system.
Insights
Reduced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression on gastric cancer cells correlates with lymph node metastasis, impacting patient prognosis. This suggests ICAM-1 plays a role in the host immunosurveillance system against cancer spread.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Lymph node metastasis is a common complication in gastric cancer.
- The underlying mechanisms of lymph node metastasis are not fully understood.
- The interaction between cancer cells and lymphocytes (immunosurveillance) may influence metastasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between lymph node metastasis and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in gastric cancer.
- To explore the role of ICAM-1 in the immunosurveillance system between tumor cells and cytotoxic lymphocytes.
- To correlate ICAM-1 expression with clinicopathologic factors and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 143 gastric cancer specimens using monoclonal antibody staining for ICAM-1.
- Evaluation of ICAM-1 expression levels in relation to lymph node metastasis.
- Assessment of the correlation between ICAM-1 expression, clinicopathologic features, and TIL infiltration.
Main Results:
- Gastric cancer cells with lymph node metastasis showed significantly decreased ICAM-1 expression.
- Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) infiltration was associated with ICAM-1 expression levels.
- Patients with ICAM-1-negative tumors had a poorer prognosis compared to those with ICAM-1-positive tumors.
Conclusions:
- ICAM-1 expression on gastric cancer cells is inversely correlated with lymph node metastasis.
- The host immunosurveillance system, involving ICAM-1 and lymphocytes, appears to influence lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer.
- ICAM-1 status may serve as a prognostic marker in gastric cancer.