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Published on: January 3, 2013
Prognostic Significance of B7-H3 Expression and CD163+ Tumor-Associated Macrophage Infiltration in Mesothelioma
Tülay Koç1, Ramazan Oğuz Yüceer1, Tuncay Altay1
1Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, 58140 Sivas, Turkey.
Abstract:
Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis. B7-H3 (CD276), an immune checkpoint molecule, and CD163-positive tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) contribute to tumor progression and immune evasion. This study evaluated the prognostic impact of B7-H3 expression and CD163-positive TAM infiltration. This single-center retrospective study included 94 patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma between 2011 and 2024. B7-H3 expression was assessed using the H-score method and dichotomized at the cohort median. CD163-positive TAM density was quantified in hotspot high-power fields. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier, log-rank, and multivariable Cox regression analyses. Median OS was 10.15 months (IQR: 4.88-19.66). High B7-H3 expression was associated with shorter OS, whereas high CD163-positive TAM density was associated with longer OS. In multivariable analysis, B7-H3 expression, CD163 expression, tumor localization, recurrence status, and treatment status were independently associated with overall survival. Combined biomarker analysis showed the worst OS in the CD163-low/B7-H3-high group and the best OS in the CD163-high/B7-H3-low group. High B7-H3 expression was independently associated with shorter overall survival, whereas high CD163-positive TAM infiltration was associated with longer overall survival in this cohort. The combined B7-H3/CD163 profile may identify distinct prognostic subgroups and highlights the tumor immune microenvironment.
Insights
High B7-H3 expression correlates with shorter survival in mesothelioma patients, while CD163-positive macrophages indicate longer survival. This immune microenvironment profile offers prognostic insights.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis.
- B7-H3 (CD276) and CD163-positive tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are implicated in tumor progression and immune evasion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prognostic significance of B7-H3 expression and CD163-positive TAM infiltration in malignant mesothelioma.
- To explore the combined prognostic impact of these biomarkers on overall survival.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 94 mesothelioma patients.
- Assessment of B7-H3 expression via H-score and CD163-positive TAM density quantification.
- Survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier, log-rank, and Cox regression models.
Main Results:
- Median overall survival (OS) was 10.15 months.
- High B7-H3 expression was linked to shorter OS; high CD163-positive TAM density was associated with longer OS.
- B7-H3, CD163, tumor localization, recurrence, and treatment status were independent prognostic factors.
Conclusions:
- High B7-H3 expression independently predicts shorter OS, whereas high CD163-positive TAM infiltration predicts longer OS in mesothelioma.
- The combined B7-H3/CD163 profile may define distinct prognostic subgroups.
- This study highlights the importance of the tumor immune microenvironment in mesothelioma prognosis.
