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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
Transfer of Manipulated Tumor-associated Neutrophils into Tumor-Bearing Mice to Study their Angiogenic Potential In Vivo
Published on: July 20, 2019
Tumour necrosis factor-alpha expression in tumour islets confers a survival advantage in non-small cell lung cancer
Chandra M Ohri1, Aarti Shikotra, Ruth H Green
1Institute for Lung Health, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK. cohri@doctors.org.uk
Background:
The role of TNFalpha in cancer is complex with both pro-tumourigenic and anti-tumourigenic roles proposed. We hypothesised that anatomical microlocalisation is critical for its function.
Methods:
This study used immunohistochemistry to investigate the expression of TNFalpha in the tumour islets and stroma with respect to survival in 133 patients with surgically resected NSCLC.
Results:
TNFalpha expression was increased in the tumour islets of patients with above median survival (AMS) compared to those with below median survival (BMS)(p = 0.006), but similar in the stroma of both groups. Increasing tumour islet TNFalpha density was a favorable independent prognostic indicator (p = 0.048) while stromal TNFalpha density was an independent predictor of reduced survival (p = 0.007). Patients with high TNFalpha expression (upper tertile) had a significantly higher 5-year survival compared to patients in the lower tertile (43% versus 22%, p = 0.01). In patients with AMS, 100% of TNFalpha+ cells were macrophages and mast cells, compared to only 28% in the islets and 50% in the stroma of BMS patients (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
The expression of TNFalpha in the tumour islets of patients with NSCLC is associated with improved survival suggesting a role in the host anti-tumour immunological response. The expression of TNFalpha by macrophages and mast cells is critical for this relationship.
