Langerhans cells and prognosis in patients with gastric carcinoma

Abstract

Infiltration of Langerhans cells (LC) and macrophages into tumor tissues was investigated using immunohistochemical methods, anti-S-100 protein and anti-lysozyme antibodies in 174 cases of gastric carcinoma. Varying population densities of S-100-positive LC were noted in tumor tissues; lysozyme-positive macrophages, however, were found in almost equal quantities. LC were mainly interspersed among the tumor cells, whereas macrophages were present in the stroma and around the necrotic foci. Although the survival time of patients with Stage I, II or IV gastric carcinoma did not relate to the density of LC, survival time in Stage III patients correlated well with the density of LC. In patients with a marked infiltration of LC, survival time was longer than in cases of only a slight infiltration (P less than 0.001). Therefore, LC in immunological defense mechanisms of the host against the tumor may be clinically effective in a certain phase of tumor development.

Elevated tumour interleukin-1β is associated with systemic inflammation: a marker of reduced survival in gastro-oesophageal cancer

“…The prognostic significance of tumour-associated inflammatory cells is less clear in gastro-oesophageal cancer. An increased macrophage infiltrate was associated with more advanced stage of disease among patients with gastric cancer in one study, whereas other studies have suggested a more favourable prognosis associated with a more pronounced macrophage infiltration (Heidl et al, 1987;Tsujitani et al, 1987;Ohno et al, 2003). Similarly, increasing tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte count has been linked with decreased risk of death from gastric cancer in one study, but associated with an adverse prognosis in another (Setala et al, 1996;Grogg et al, 2003).…”

Macrophage-derived chemokine gene transfer results in tumor regression in murine lung carcinoma model through efficient induction of antitumor immunity

“…12,13 Induction of effective antitumor response requires DC to present tumor antigen, 14 but tumor cells often have limited expression of MHC antigens and costimulatory molecules, [15][16][17] and also tumor cells can produce immune inhibitory factors that inhibit DC maturation and migration. 18,19 It has been shown that the quantity of DC within tumors of a variety of histological types are correlated with prognosis, 20,21 and that DC which reside within the tumor are immature. 22 Thus efficient DC maturation, migration and activation might be of great importance for the induction of antitumor immunity.…”

“…18,19 In this study, we also demonstrated that migration of DC was inhibited by supernatants of 3LL (see Figure 3). It has been shown that the density of DC within tumors of a variety of histological types was correlated with prognosis, 20,21 and that DC within the tumor were immature. 22 So, both the infiltration of DC into the tumor and the migration and homing of DC from the tumor to lymphoid organs are considered to be critically initial steps during induction of antitumor immune response.…”

Relationship between the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and the density of dendritic cells in gastric adenocarcinoma tissue

“…the infiltration of tumours by DCs is thought to reflect the local immune response ). We reported previously that the survival time of patients with adsvanced gastric cancer w as correlated with the density of DCs that were positive for S-100 protein (Tsujitani et al 1987). Similar results hav-e been obtained by other groups who studied malignancies of the lung (Miyake et al 1992).…”