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Updated: May 8, 2026
Development of Compendium for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: April 12, 2024
Neuropilin-1 expression in squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus
Mohamed Alattar1, Alfred Omo, Mamdouh Elsharawy
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
Objectives:
The development of new therapeutic targets is needed to change the current low survival rates of cancer of the oesophagus. In some clinical trials, angiogenic inhibitors, including those targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors, have proven efficacious. In concert with this, neuropilin-1 (NRP1), a coreceptor for VEGF, is expressed by many tumours and may be related to their progression. This study aimed to assess the expression and prognostic value of fNRP1 in primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oesophagus.
Methods:
The expression of NRP1 receptors was assessed in 60 samples of resected oesophageal SCC and adjacent normal mucosa by western blotting, immunostaining and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Furthermore, the relationship between NRP1 and the clinicopathological parameters was investigated.
Results:
NRP1 staining was limited within normal tissues of the oesophagus, while it was prominent in tumour cells and vasculature. Overexpression of NRP1 receptors (3.6 ± 0.48-folds) was apparent in 81.7% specimens (n = 60, P = 0.0001). qPCR consistently revealed parallel NRP1-mRNA overexpression (3.7 ± 3.7-folds) (n = 16, P = 0.02). A higher molecular weight-modified NRP1 (mNRP1) species was identified in a large proportion of the tumour specimens (85%), accounting for 71.51 ± 20.6% of their total NRP1. Overexpression of tumour NRP1 was positively correlated with deeper invasion into the oesophageal wall (P = 0.05) though mNRP1-positive tumour populations were significantly associated with less lymph node metastasis (P = 0.036) and better prognostic tumour-node-metastasis stage (P = 0.037) than mNRP1 negative tumours.
Conclusions:
NRP1 overexpression in oesophageal SCC may contribute to local tumour invasiveness but the presence of the mNRP1 subtype correlates with less lymph node metastasis and better prognostic stage, suggesting that the balance between modified and unmodified NRP1 might be important for determining invasion potential.
Insights
Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) is overexpressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), potentially driving tumor invasion. However, a modified form of NRP1 (mNRP1) correlates with reduced lymph node metastasis and better prognostic stage in these cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Esophageal cancer has poor survival rates, necessitating novel therapeutic targets.
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) inhibitors show promise, and its coreceptor, Neuropilin-1 (NRP1), is implicated in tumor progression.
- NRP1 expression in primary esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) warrants investigation for its prognostic value.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the expression levels of NRP1 in esophageal SCC.
- To determine the correlation between NRP1 expression and clinicopathological parameters.
- To assess the prognostic significance of NRP1 in esophageal SCC.
Main Methods:
- Western blotting, immunostaining, and quantitative PCR (qPCR) were used to assess NRP1 expression in 60 esophageal SCC samples and adjacent normal mucosa.
- Clinicopathological parameters were analyzed in relation to NRP1 expression.
- Modified NRP1 (mNRP1) species were identified and quantified.
Main Results:
- NRP1 was significantly overexpressed in 81.7% of esophageal SCC specimens compared to normal tissue (3.6-fold increase).
- NRP1 mRNA levels were also elevated (3.7-fold increase).
- A modified form of NRP1 (mNRP1) was found in 85% of tumors and was associated with less lymph node metastasis and a better tumor-node-metastasis stage.
Conclusions:
- NRP1 overexpression in esophageal SCC may promote local invasion.
- The presence of mNRP1 is linked to reduced lymph node metastasis and improved prognostic staging.
- The balance between modified and unmodified NRP1 may influence esophageal SCC invasion potential.
