title: CD34+ fibrocytes, alpha-smooth muscle antigen-positive myofibroblasts, and CD117 expression in the stroma of invasive squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx.
abstract: We investigated tumor-free mucosa and squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity, the pharynx, and larynx with respect to the presence of stromal CD34+ fibrocytes and alpha-smooth muscle antigen (SMA)-positive myofibroblasts. Additionally, stromal expression of CD117 was analyzed. A total of 39 squamous cell carcinomas were assessed immunohistochemically. In all cases investigated, CD34+ fibrocytes were found in the tumor-free stroma, whereas alpha-SMA-positive myofibroblasts were lacking. Areas of lymphocytic infiltration disclosed a focal reduction of CD34+ fibrocytes. CD117 expression was absent from the tumor-free stroma. Of 39 squamous cell carcinomas, 33 were free of stromal CD34+ fibrocytes, and, in 31 carcinomas, stromal alpha-SMA-positive myofibroblasts occurred at least focally. CD117-positive stromal spindle cells were found in 25 carcinomas. Compared with tumor-free mucosa, the number of tissue mast cells was significantly increased in carcinomas. We conclude that stromal remodeling induced by invasive carcinomas is characterized by a loss of CD34+ fibrocytes and subsequent gain of alpha-SMA-positive myofibroblasts. The diagnostic impact of this finding is, however, limited by the fact that chronic inflammation may also be accompanied by a focal loss of CD34+ fibrocytes.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, Philipps-University Marburg, Baldingerstrasse, 35033 Marburg, Germany. barthp@med.uni-marburg.de
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Barth
authors.forename: Titus
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schenck zu Schweinsberg
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramaswamy
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moll
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000032:analysis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000032:analysis*; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit