Evaluation of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Markers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
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- Category: Vol. 87, December 2019
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Evaluation of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Markers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma, GHADA A. ABD EL-FATTAH, RASHA M. ABDRABUH and RANIA G. ROSHDY
Abstract
Background: Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are main components of tumor microenvirnoment. They act an essential role in tumor progression, invasion and unrespon-siveness to chemotherapy.
Aim of Study: This work aims to study the relation of CAFs with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developement and progression.
Material and Methods: This is an uncontrolled retrospec-tive study carried upon 30 cases of HCC. Cases were collected from archives of Pathology Department and Early Cancer Detection Unit (ECDU), Faculty of Medicine, Benha Univer-sity, and from International Medical Center during the years 2010-2015. Podoplanin (D2-40), alpha smooth muscle actin (a-SMA) and CD31 immunohistochemichal staining were performed and evaluated for each case.
Results: Both D2-40 and a-SMA showed different distri-butions and levels of expression. D2-40 positivity was localized to the peri-tumoral area, while a-SMA was detected in both intra- and peritumoral areas. Expression of both markers was not statistically related to each other (p>0.05). D2-40 was positive in 73.3% of casesand a-SMA showed high expres-sionin 60% of cases. Both positive D2-40 and high a-SMA showed positive relations to tumor grade (p<0.01 for both markers), associated cirrhosis (p<0.05 for both markers), lymphatic (p<0.05 for both markers) and vascular invasion (p<0.05 and p<0.01 respectively). Also positive relations were reported between positivity of D2-40 and lymph node metastases (p<0.05). Neoangiogenesis was estimated by positivity to CD31 and Microvessel density (MVD) was calculated. Lymphatic vessel density (LVD) was also estimated by using positivity to D2-40. Both mean MVD and meanLVD were significantly increased in relation to positive D2-40 expression (p<0.01 and p<0.05 respectively). Also, the higher a-SMA expression, the higher the means of both MVD and LVD. Theses also were highly statistically significant relations (p<0.01 for both).
Conclusion: Cancer associated fibroblasts have a possible role in development and progression of HCC. This could be implemented in new therapeutic strategies for HCC.