title: High Density of Tumor-infiltrating B-Lymphocytes and Plasma Cells Signifies Prolonged Overall Survival in Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagogastric Junction.
abstract: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been shown to be of prognostic significance in a variety of tumors. Not only T-cell, but also B-cell infiltration is commonly associated with improved survival.
  
  
  
  We assessed the density of tumor-infiltrating B-cells, as well as that of plasma cells, in 210 adenocarcinomas of the esophagogastric junction through immunohistochemical analysis using antibodies against CD20 and CD138.
  
  
  
  No correlation between density of B-cells or plasma cells and various clinicopathologic features could be established. High density of tumor-infiltrating B-cells, as well as plasma cells, showed significantly better overall survival (OS) compared to patients with no infiltrates (p=0.047 and p=0.022, respectively). Cox proportional hazard analysis could verify B-cell infiltration as an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio (HR)=0.683; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.517-0.901; p=0.007).
  
  
  
  Plasma cell and B-cell infiltration correlates with prolonged OS and might identify a patient subset with favorable disease course.
authors: Department of Pathology, Section of Hematopathology and Endocrine Pathology, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany Juliana.Knief@uksh.de.
authors: Juliana
authors: J
authors: Knief
authors: Department of Pathology, Section of Hematopathology and Endocrine Pathology, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.
authors: Katharina
authors: K
authors: Reddemann
authors: Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.
authors: Ekaterina
authors: E
authors: Petrova
authors: Department of Pathology, Section of Hematopathology and Endocrine Pathology, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.
authors: Tobias
authors: T
authors: Herhahn
authors: Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.
authors: Ulrich
authors: U
authors: Wellner
authors: Department of Pathology, Section of Hematopathology and Endocrine Pathology, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.
authors: Christoph
authors: C
authors: Thorns
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD
keywords: Tumor infiltrating B-cells; adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction; tumor infiltrating plasma cells; tumor microenvironment