High number of CD45RO+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes is an independent prognostic factor in non-metastasized (stage I-IIA) esophageal adenocarcinoma.
BACKGROUND
The validation of novel prognostic indicators is of greatest interest for the management of esophageal adenocarcinoma (Barrett's cancer), particularly for non-metastasized (stage I-IIA) disease. The prognostic role of tumor infiltrating T-lymphocytes (TILs) in Barrett's cancer has not been reported so far. Here we evaluated the impact of TILs on survival, recurrence, and metastasis in Barrett's cancer, particularly in stage I-IIA patients.


METHODS
The levels of the adaptive immune markers CD3, CD8, and CD45RO were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and image analysis in tissue microarrays consisting of tumor tissues of 118 patients with primary resected Barrett's cancer. The findings were correlated with clinicopathological parameters including patient outcome.


RESULTS
In multivariate analysis, a low density of intratumoral CD45RO+ immune cells was an independent unfavorable factor for disease-free survival in stages I-IIA patients (P = 0.004, RR = 4.7, 95% CI = 1.6-13.5) as well in the entire cohort (P = 0.048, RR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.0-4.0). High CD3+ and CD45RO+ levels were associated with prolonged disease-free survival and overall survival as well with low recurrence rates of disease (P = 0.005 and P = 0.018, respectively). In addition, low CD3+ levels were correlated with a higher frequency of lymph node metastasis (P = 0.025).


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that the density of CD45RO+ TILs is an independent prognostic factor in non-metastasized (stage I-IIA) Barrett's cancer patients and indicates an important role for the adaptive immunologic microenvironment. The inclusion of CD45RO+ density may help to improve the management of stage I-IIA Barrett's cancer.
Institute of Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstaedter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
Sandra
S
Rauser
Rupert
R
Langer
Sebastian
S
Tschernitz
Peter
P
Gais
Uta
U
Jütting
Marcus
M
Feith
Heinz
H
Höfler
Axel
A
Walch
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D017252:CD3 Complex; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens