Intratumoral high endothelial venules in solid tumors: a pooled study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Pathology

Background:

• Tumor-associated high endothelial venules (TA-HEVs) are increasingly recognized in the tumor microenvironment.
• Their prognostic significance across various solid tumors remains to be comprehensively elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a pooled analysis exploring the prognostic value of TA-HEVs in solid tumors.
• To investigate the association between TA-HEV status and clinicopathological features.

Main Methods:

• A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library was performed.
• Meta-analysis of 13 retrospective cohort studies (1,933 patients) using hazard ratios (HRs) and odds ratios (ORs).
• Subgroup, sensitivity, and publication bias analyses were conducted.

Main Results:

• TA-HEV positivity correlated with improved overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).
• No significant association was found with progression-free survival (PFS) or cancer-specific survival (CSS).
• TA-HEVs were inversely linked to lymph node and distant metastasis but positively associated with poorer tumor differentiation.

Conclusions:

• This meta-analysis is the first to comprehensively assess TA-HEVs' prognostic value in solid tumors.
• TA-HEVs show significant correlations with prognosis and clinicopathological features.
• TA-HEVs may serve as novel immune-related biomarkers for clinical assessment and prognosis prediction.