OncoTargets and Therapy
High Density of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Correlates with Increased Lymphangiogenesis and Poor Prognosis in Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma
By 崔兰珍, Cheng Ran, Shuang Liu and 5 others.
Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), microlymphatic vessel density (MLVD), clinicopathological factors, and survival outcomes in HPSCC patients.
Methods
Clinical data were collected from patients diagnosed with HPSCC in the Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery at the 980th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistics Support Force (Bethune International Peace Hospital) from January 1, 2010, to October 1, 2022. CAFs, MLVD, and related factors were analyzed.
Results
CAF numbers and MLVD were relatively high in tumor tissues, positively correlated with each other, and linked to clinicopathological factors and poor survival. N stage, number of CAFs, and MLVD affected prognosis, with N stage and MLVD identified as independent risk factors. Conclusions and Significance: The correlation between CAF density and MLVD suggests a potential association between CAFs and lymphangiogenesis in HPSCC. MLVD may serve as a prognostic biomarker, and CAF-associated lymphangiogenesis warrants further investigation. Keywords: cancer-associated fibroblasts, hypopharyngeal carcinoma, α-SMA, MLVD, lymphangiogenesis