The expression and significance of tumor associated macrophages and CXCR4 in non-small cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the expression and significance of tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) and CXCR4 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

Immunohistochemical staining was used to analyze the expression of CD68 (TAM surface marker) and CXCR4 in 68 cases of NSCLC and 17 cases of normal lung tissue.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The positive rate of CD68 was 66.2% (45/68) and CXCR4 was 61.8% (42/68) in the lung cancer tissues, while the rates in normal tissues were statistically significantly lower at 27.3% (3/17) and 11.8% (2/17), respectively. The tissue expressions of CD68 and CXCR4 in NSCLC tissues were significantly correlated with a higher TNM staging and lymph node metastasis (p<0.05); and the expression of CD68 was positively correlated with the expression of CXCR4 (r=0.461, p=0.000). The TAMs infiltration and the expression of CXCR4 were closely correlated with the cellular carcinogenesis and development of NSCLC and their combined detection could provide a potential target for clinical diagnosis and adjuvant therapy for patient with NSCLC.