High microvessel and lymphatic vessel density predict poor prognosis in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

PeerJ. 2024 Sep 27:12:e18080. doi: 10.7717/peerj.18080. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Background: Microangiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are essential for tumor growth in the tumor microenvironment, contributing to tumor invasion and metastasis. Limited literature exists on these processes in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the impacts of microangiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis on the occurrence, progression, and prognosis assessment of ESCC.

Methods: Surgical specimens and paraffin-embedded human tissues were procured from ESCC patients, encompassing 100 ESCC tissues and 100 cancer-adjacent normal (CAN) tissues. CD34 and D2-40 were utilized as markers for microvessel endothelial cells and lymphatic vessel endothelial cells, respectively. Microvascular density (MVD) and lymphatic vessel density (LVD) were evaluated through immunohistochemical quantification.

Results: We found that tumor tissues in ESCC patients had significantly higher MVD and LVD than cancer-adjacent normal (CAN) tissues. High MVD and LVD were associated with lymph node metastasis and advanced tumor clinical stages. Additionally, both high MVD and high LVD were strongly linked to poorer prognosis among cancer patients. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between high MVD and high LVD (p < 0.05). The presence of these markers individually indicated a worse prognosis, with their combined assessment showcasing enhanced prognostic value.

Conclusions: Overall, the increased MVD and LVD indicates higher invasion and metastasis of ESCC, closely correlating with unfavorablefor poor prognosis of ESCC patients.

Keywords: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Lymphatic vessel density; Microvessel density; Prognosis.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antigens, CD34 / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / blood supply
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / pathology
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / blood supply
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / mortality
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma* / blood supply
  • Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma* / mortality
  • Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma* / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lymphangiogenesis / physiology
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / pathology
  • Lymphatic Vessels* / pathology
  • Male
  • Microvascular Density*
  • Microvessels / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • Antigens, CD34

Grants and funding

This study was funded by Key scientific and technological research projects in the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (No. 2023AB058), Guiding scientific and technological research project in the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (No. 2022ZD003, No. 2023ZD028, No. 2023ZD027), International Science and technology cooperation promotion project of Shihezi University (GJHZ202001), Clinical Basic Research Project of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University (No. LJ202202), National Early Detection and Treatment Project for Upper Digestive Tract in Rural Area in China (NO. 2024), Scientific research project of early gastrointestinal cancer doctors’ joint growth plan (GTCZ-2023-XJ-02), Shihezi University independently funded research and innovation projects (ZZZC2023029). (NO. 2024), Scientific research project of early gastrointestinal cancer doctors’ joint growth plan (GTCZ-2023-XJ-02), Shihezi University independently funded research and innovation projects (ZZZC2023029). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.