Nestin and CD34 expression in colorectal cancer predicts improved overall survival.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Nestin, a class VI intermediate filament protein of the cytoskeleton, and CD34, a transmembrane phosphoglycoprotein, are markers of progenitor cells. This study aimed to evaluate their expression and clinical significance in colorectal cancer.

METHODS:

A clinically annotated tissue microarray, including 599 patients with colorectal cancer, was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, nestin and CD34 correlations with HIF-1a and a panel of cytokines and chemokines were assessed using quantitative reverse transcription PCR and The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset.

RESULTS:

Expression of nestin and CD34 was observed only in the tumor stroma. Patients displaying high expression of nestin and CD34 demonstrated higher rates of T1 and T2 tumors (p = .020), lower vascular invasion (p < .001) and improved 5-year overall survival (65%; 95% CI = 55-73 vs 45%; 95% CI = 37-53) after adjusting for clinicopathological characteristics (HR: 0.67; 95% CI = 0.46-0.96). A moderate to strong correlation (r = 0.37-0.78, p < .03) of nestin and CD34 was demonstrated for the following markers; HIF-1α, CD4, CD8, FOXP3, IRF1, GATA3, CCL2, CCL3, CXCL12 and CCL21.

CONCLUSIONS:

Combined expression of nestin and CD34 expression is associated with better overall survival possibly by modulating a favorable immune response.

• Authors: Athanasios Tampakis, Benjamin Weixler, Silvan Rast, Ekaterini-Christina Tampaki, Eleonora Cremonesi, Venkatesh Kancherla, Nadia Tosti, Christoph Kettelhack, Charlotte K Y Ng, Tarik Delko, Savas D Soysal, Urs von Holzen, Evangelos Felekouras, Nikolaos Nikiteas, Martin Bolli, Luigi Tornillo, Luigi Terracciano, Serenella Eppenberger-Castori, Giulio C Spagnoli, Salvatore Piscuoglio, Markus von Flüe, Silvio Däster, Raoul A Droeser
• Journal: Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden) (Acta Oncol) Vol. 60 Issue 6 Pg. 727-734 (Jun 2021) ISSN: 1651-226X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 33734917 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antigens, CD34
• Nestin

Topics

• Antigens, CD34
• Colorectal Neoplasms (genetics)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Neovascularization, Pathologic
• Nestin (genetics)