Lectin histochemistry of metastatic adenocarcinomas of the lung.
BACKGROUND
Several clinical studies indicate that primary tumour cells with high metastatic potential often show aberrant glycosylation as detected by lectin histochemistry. However, it is unclear whether aberrant glycosylation is still present in metastatic deposits. The aim of the present investigation was thus to analyse a possible association between the presence of lectin binding sites of pulmonary adenocarcinoma cells and their lymph node and haematogenous metastatic cells.


METHODS
For this purpose, the expression of HPA, PHA-L and UEA-I was assessed in primary tumours, lymph node metastases and haematogenous metastases of 96 patients with metastatic adenocarcinomas of the lung that underwent surgery between 1999 and 2002. Besides, lectin-binding data and other known prognostic factors were correlated with survival.


RESULTS
We found a significant positive correlation between the binding of the lectins HPA (p=0.002), PHA-L (p<0.00001) and UEA-I (p<0.00001) to the cells of the primary tumour and to their lymph node metastases. There was a positive correlation between the binding of HPA to the cells of the primary tumour and the haematogenous metastases as well. Patients with tumours which did not show HPA binding sites had a median overall survival of 27.9 months (95%-CI 7.7-infinity months). Patients with a HPA binding tumour had a median overall survival of 20.9 months (95%-CI 18.5-28.7 months).


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first investigation to demonstrate a positive correlation between the binding of the lectins HPA, PHA-L and UEA-I to the cells of the primary tumour and to their lymph node metastases. Expression of HPA binding sites is also preserved in the haematogenous metastases. In summary, our results support the hypothesis that altered glycosylation of the membrane-bound glycoproteins of the tumour cells is associated with, but not sufficient for promotion of lymphogenic and haematogenous metastasis.
Thöm
Ina
I
Department of Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany. i.thoem@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Schult-Kronefeld
Olaf
O
Burkholder
Iris
I
Goern
Michael
M
Andritzky
Birte
B
Blonski
Katharina
K
Kugler
Christian
C
Edler
Lutz
L
Bokemeyer
Carsten
C
Schumacher
Udo
U
Laack
Eckart
E
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001665:Binding Sites; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006388:Hemagglutinins; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000737:chemistry*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D037121:Plant Lectins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D039762:Ulex
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006023:Glycoproteins; C038095:Helix lectin; D006388:Hemagglutinins; D037102:Lectins; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D037121:Plant Lectins; C036850:Ulex europaeus lectins; C100156:leukoagglutinins, plants