Expression of CXCR4 and its ligand SDF-1 in intestinal-type gastric cancer is associated with lymph node and liver metastasis.
BACKGROUND
Stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1 and CXCR4 form an important chemokine ligand/receptor pair. Recent studies suggest that CXCR4 is expressed in certain cancer cells, and malignant cells use this chemokine/receptor system to promote tumor progression and metastasis. However, the pathophysiological significance of their expression in gastric cancer tissue has not been fully elucidated.


METHODS
SDF-1 and CXCR4 expression levels in gastric cancer specimens obtained from 124 patients were examined by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
The staining intensity of CXCR4 and SDF-1 in cancer cells was significantly higher in intestinal-type than in diffuse-type gastric cancer. There was a significant correlation between the expression of CXCR4 and SDF-1 and liver metastasis and lymphatic metastasis in the intestinal-type cancer; however, this correlation was not found in the diffuse-type cancer. Furthermore, intestinal-type cancer cells that permeated the vascular or lymphatic channels as well as liver and lymph node metastases showed strong CXCR4 and SDF-1 staining.


CONCLUSIONS
The overexpressed CXCR4 and SDF-1 in intestinal-type cancer cells may be therapeutic targets for preventing lymphatic and hematogenous metastasis.
Iwasa
Satoshi
S
Kanagawa University of Human Services,Yokosuka, Kanagawa, 238-8522 Japan. iwasa-st@kuhs.ac.jp
Yanagawa
Toru
T
Fan
Jianglin
J
Katoh
Ryohei
R
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D000368:Aged; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008024:Ligands; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*
C527276:CXCR4 protein, human; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12; D008024:Ligands; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4