Myofibroblasts correlate with lymphatic microvessel density and lymph node metastasis in early-stage invasive colorectal carcinoma
Liang, P.; Hong, J-Wei.; Ubukata, H.; Liu, G.; Katano, M.; Motohashi, G.; Kasuga, T.; Watanabe, Y.; Nakada, I.; Tabuchi, T.
Anticancer Research 25(4): 2705-2712
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0250-7005 PMID: 16080515 Document Number: 591052
Background: Recent studies have shown that the interactions between tumor cells and stromal cells are important in tumor development. A possible correlation between tumor-activated myofibroblasts, the main component cells of tumor stroma, and lymphatic microvessel density (LMVD) or other clinical parameters in carcinoma was investigated. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical examination of alpha-smooth muscle actin and podoplanin were performed in 83 cases of early-stage invasive colorectal carcinoma. Results: There was a good correlation between proliferation of myofibroblasts (PMpt) and LMVD (LMVDpt) in the peri-tumoral area (p=0.0034). Increased PMpt was also associated with lymphatic invasion (p=0.0051) and with lymph node metastasis (p=0.011). However, proliferation of myofibroblasts in intra-tumoral (PMit) areas was not associated with these clinical parameters. Conclusion: Proliferation of myofibroblasts in peri-tumoral areas seem to play an important role in lymphangiogenesis, and is also associated with lymph node metastasis.