Clinical significance of cancer‐associated fibroblasts and their correlation with microvessel and lymphatic vessel density in lung adenocarcinoma

摘要

Background To determine whether cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are associated with microvessel density (MVD) and lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) or are not prognostic. Methods Ninety‐three lung adenocarcinoma patients without adjuvant therapy between January 2010 and June 2011 were enrolled. CAFs, MVD, and LVD were identified by α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), CD34 and D2‐40 staining via immunohistochemistry. Staining intensities were assessed and quantified. For statistics, Pearson's chi‐square test, logistic regression, Kaplan‐Meier, and log‐rank tests were applied. In addition, the Cox proportional hazards model was used for multifactor analysis to predict survival. Results CAFs abundance in lung adenocarcinoma is associated with higher MVD and LVD. In addition, a correlation was demonstrated between MVD and LVD ( P Conclusions The density of CAFs identified by α‐SMA staining is associated with progression and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma and affects the patient's disease outcome.