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The expression and clinical significance of CD73 molecule in human rectal adenocarcinoma
Abstract:
The ectonucleotidase CD73 degrades adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to adenosine which potently inhibits host immune responses against cancer. This study investigated the expression level and prognostic significance of CD73 in human rectal adenocarcinoma. Our data demonstrated that CD73 staining strongly marked both malignant epithelial cells and stromal components where the protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of CD73 were significantly increased compared with paracancerous controls. High CD73 expression in tumor cells can be used as an independent factor for predicting poor patients' prognosis; however, patients with higher density of stromal CD73 were more likely to have favorable characteristics (early T and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stages) and overall survival. Notably, combined CD73 expression analysis in both tumoral and stromal compartments was more efficient to foretell patient's outcome where patients with increased CD73 in tumor cells but decreased CD73 in stroma displayed a worst prognosis. Taken together, the current study revealed CD73 expression was increased in both tumoral and stromal compartments. Although upregulated CD73 expression in tumor cells correlates with a poor prognosis in patients with rectal adenocarcinoma, the combination of CD73 expression in malignant epithelial cells and tumor stroma may have a better prognostic value.
Insights
CD73, an enzyme, is elevated in rectal cancer. High tumor CD73 predicts poor outcomes, while high stromal CD73 suggests better survival, offering combined prognostic value.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- CD73 ectonucleotidase degrades ATP to adenosine, inhibiting anti-cancer immune responses.
- Adenosine signaling plays a critical role in the tumor microenvironment and immune evasion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate CD73 expression levels in rectal adenocarcinoma.
- To determine the prognostic significance of CD73 in tumor cells and stromal components.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to assess CD73 protein expression.
- Messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of CD73 were quantified.
- Correlation analysis was performed between CD73 expression and clinicopathological features/patient survival.
Main Results:
- CD73 expression was significantly increased in both malignant epithelial cells and stromal components of rectal adenocarcinoma compared to normal tissue.
- High CD73 expression in tumor cells correlated with a poor prognosis.
- High stromal CD73 density was associated with favorable characteristics (early T and TNM stages) and improved overall survival.
Conclusions:
- CD73 is upregulated in rectal adenocarcinoma, affecting both tumor cells and the stroma.
- Tumoral CD73 expression is an independent predictor of poor prognosis.
- Combined analysis of CD73 expression in tumor cells and stroma provides a more robust prognostic indicator for rectal adenocarcinoma, with increased tumor CD73 and decreased stromal CD73 indicating the worst prognosis.
