Nestin and CD34 expression in colorectal cancer predicts improved overall survival. (3rd June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tampakis, Athanasios; Weixler, Benjamin; Rast, Silvan; Tampaki, Ekaterini-Christina; Cremonesi, Eleonora; Kancherla, Venkatesh; Tosti, Nadia; Kettelhack, Christoph; Ng, Charlotte K. Y.; Delko, Tarik; Soysal, Savas D.; von Holzen, Urs; Felekouras, Evangelos; Nikiteas, Nikolaos; Bolli, Martin; Tornillo, Luigi; Terracciano, Luigi; Eppenberger-Castori, Serenella; Spagnoli, Giulio C.; Piscuoglio, Salvatore; von Flüe, Markus; Däster, Silvio; Droeser, Raoul A.
• Is Part Of: Acta oncologica. Volume 60:Number 6(2021)
• Page Start: 727
• Page End: 734
• Publication Date: 2021-06-03
• Subjects: Nestin -- CD34 -- colorectal cancer -- tumor microenvironment -- hypoxia associated immune response; Oncology -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 616.992
• DOI: 10.1080/0284186X.2021.1891280
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0284-186X

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Nestin, a class VI intermediate filament protein of the cytoskeleton, and CD34, a transmembrane phosphoglycoprotein, are markers of progenitor cells. This study aimed to evaluate their expression and clinical significance in colorectal cancer. Methods: A clinically annotated tissue microarray, including 599 patients with colorectal cancer, was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, nestin and CD34 correlations with HIF-1a and a panel of cytokines and chemokines were assessed using quantitative reverse transcription PCR and The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset. Results: Expression of nestin and CD34 was observed only in the tumor stroma. Patients displaying high expression of nestin and CD34 demonstrated higher rates of T1 and T2 tumors ( p = .020), lower vascular invasion ( p < .001) and improved 5-year overall survival (65%; 95% CI = 55–73 vs 45%; 95% CI = 37–53) after adjusting for clinicopathological characteristics (HR: 0.67; 95% CI = 0.46–0.96). A moderate to strong correlation ( r = 0.37–0.78, p < .03) of nestin and CD34 was demonstrated for the following markers; HIF-1α, CD4, CD8, FOXP3, IRF1, GATA3, CCL2, CCL3, CXCL12 and CCL21. Conclusions: Combined expression of nestin and CD34 expression is associated with better overall survival possibly by modulating a favorable immune response.