Mast cell density is associated with angiogenesis and poor prognosis in pulmonary adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis in individuals with various solid tumors has provided useful information on tumor progression and prognosis, and many examples of mast cell (MC) accumulation coupled with angiogenesis can be found in the literature. METHODS: Utilizing monoclonal antibodies for tryptase that are specific markers for MC and for the endothelial surface marker CD34, the authors quantified MC infiltration in 180 patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma who underwent curative tumor resection, to investigate the relation between mast cell density (MCD) and microvessel density (MVD), clinicopathologic factors, and prognosis. RESULTS: A significant association was found between MCD and MVD (P < 0.0001). The MC count was significantly related to tumor progression, involving N classification and stage (P = 0.0002 for N classification and P = 0. 0015 for stage). A significant difference in the rate of patient survival was detected between patients whose tumors had an MCD defined as high and those whose tumors had an MCD defined as low (P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis also showed that MCD was significantly related to survival (P = 0.0378). CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that MC infiltration may contribute to tumor angiogenesis and tumor progression, and that MCD is a useful prognostic marker in pulmonary adenocarcinoma.     

Positive correlation between bone marrow mast cell density and ISS prognostic index in patients with multiple myeloma

We evaluated mast cell density (MCD) in myeloma bone marrow biopsies and correlated it with stage of disease and markers of angiogenesis. Fifty-three untreated myeloma patients and 28 of them responded to therapy were studied. Mast cells were highlighted using immunohistochemical stain for tryptase. Angiogenesis was evaluated measuring microvascular density and serum levels of basic-fibroblast growth factor and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. MCD was higher in untreated patients, compared to healthy population and responders. Significant association was found between MCD with angiogenesis and clinical stage of disease, suggesting that mast cells could be used as target for myeloma treatment.     

Targeting lactate transport suppresses in vivo breast tumour growth

Background

Most cancers, including breast cancer, have high rates of glucose consumption, associated with lactate production, a process referred as “Warburg effect”. Acidification of the tumour microenvironment by lactate extrusion, performed by lactate transporters (MCTs), is associated with higher cell proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis and increased cell survival. Previously, we have described MCT1 up-regulation in breast carcinoma samples and demonstrated the importance of in vitro MCT inhibition. In this study, we performed siRNA knockdown of MCT1 and MCT4 in basal-like breast cancer cells in both normoxia and hypoxia conditions to validate the potential of lactate transport inhibition in breast cancer treatment.

Results

The effect of MCT knockdown was evaluated on lactate efflux, proliferation, cell biomass, migration and invasion and induction of tumour xenografts in nude mice. MCT knockdown led to a decrease in in vitro tumour cell aggressiveness, with decreased lactate transport, cell proliferation, migration and invasion and, importantly, to an inhibition of in vivo tumour formation and growth.

Conclusions

This work supports MCTs as promising targets in cancer therapy, demonstrates the contribution of MCTs to cancer cell aggressiveness and, more importantly, shows, for the first time, the disruption of in vivo breast tumour growth by targeting lactate transport.     

Neovascularisation,expression of fibroblast growth factor-2, and mast cells with tryptase activity increase simultaneously with pathological progression in human malignant melanoma

Tissues from 92 proliferative lesions of the melanocytic lineage defining distinct steps in tumour progression were investigated immunohistochemically for changes in angiogenesis, expression of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and density of total mast cells (MCs) and MCs expressing tryptase, an angiogenic-inducing molecule. Although the microvessel number was low in common nevi, it increased significantly in nevi with architectural disorder with varying degrees of melanocytic atypia (termed 'nevi with ADMA'), and these changes persisted during tumour development. Progression of primary melanomas was accompanied by a high microvessel number, and the progression to metastases by another significant increase in the microvessel counts. Expression of FGF-2, evaluated as percentages of positive lesions and positive cells per lesion was upregulated in the course of progression. Changes in expression were associated with nevi with ADMA, tumour changeover, penetration of the tumour into the dermis and metastases. A high correlation was demonstrated in all groups of tissues between the microvessel counts, percentages of FGF-2-positive tumour cells, and both total metachromatic and tryptase-reactive MCs. These results suggest that angiogenesis in human melanoma increases with tumour progression and that FGF-2 secreted by tumour cells and tryptase secreted by host MCs cooperate in its induction.     

Microvascular density and hypoxia-inducible factor pathway in pancreatic endocrine tumours: negative correlation of microvascular density and VEGF expression with tumour progression

Tumour-associated angiogenesis is partly regulated by the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathway. Endocrine tumours are highly vascularised and the molecular mechanisms of their angiogenesis are not fully delineated. The aim of this study is to evaluate angiogenesis and expression of HIF-related molecules in a series of patients with pancreatic endocrine tumours (PETs). The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), HIF-1alpha, HIF-2alpha and carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9) was examined by immunohistochemistry in 45 patients with PETs and compared to microvascular density (MVD), endothelial proliferation, tumour stage and survival. Microvascular density was very high in PETs and associated with a low endothelial index of proliferation. Microvascular density was significantly higher in benign PETs than in PETs of uncertain prognosis, well-differentiated and poorly differentiated carcinomas (mean values: 535, 436, 252 and 45 vessels mm(-2), respectively, P < 0.0001). Well-differentiated tumours had high cytoplasmic VEGF and HIF-1alpha expression. Poorly differentiated carcinomas were associated with nuclear HIF-1alpha and membranous CA9 expression. Low MVD (P = 0.0001) and membranous CA9 expression (P = 0.0004) were associated with a poorer survival. Contrary to other types of cancer, PETs are highly vascularised, but poorly angiogenic tumours. As they progress, VEGF expression is lost and MVD significantly decreases. The regulation of HIF signalling appears to be specific in pancreatic endocrine tumours.     

Overexpression of Id-1 is significantly associated with tumour angiogenesis in human pancreas cancers

It has been suggested that Id-1 has a critical role in the tumour progression and aggressiveness of several human cancers. However, the clinicopathological and biological significance of Id-1 overexpression remains unclear in human primary cancer. To investigate the association between Id-1 expression and cell proliferation or tumour angiogenesis, we examined the cell cycle kinetic indices (the proliferation and apoptotic indices, PI and AI) and intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) in 65 human pancreatic cancers. We also investigated the relationship between its expression and various clinicopathological factors to determine the clinical significance of Id-1 overexpression. Out of a total 65 cases, 32 (49.3%) showed overexpression of Id-1 vs normal tissues. Id-1 expression was found to be significantly associated with MVD (P=0.002). In further analysis of subgroups with higher and lower Id-1 expression, tumours with higher Id-1 expression (scores 4 and 5) showed significantly higher MVD than tumours with lower expression of Id-1 (scores 2 and 3) (111.18+/-57.14 vs 64.13+/-28.19, P<0.001). However, no significant association was found between Id-1 overexpression and patient survival rate. No significant association was also found between Id-1 expression and cell cycle kinetic indices (PI or AI) in pancreatic cancer. Moreover, the overexpression of Id-1 protein was not correlated with any significant clinicopathologic factors. These findings indicate that Id-1 overexpression is closely related with tumour angiogenesis and a higher density of intratumoral vessel, but that it is not associated with a poorer prognosis of survival or a higher cell proliferative potential in human pancreatic cancer.     

Alterations of monocarboxylate transporter densities during hypoxia in brain and breast tumour cells

Background

Tumour cells are characterized by aerobic glycolysis, which provides biomass for tumour proliferation and leads to extracellular acidification through efflux of lactate via monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs). Deficient and spasm-prone tumour vasculature causes variable hypoxia, which favours tumour cell survival and metastases. Brain metastases frequently occur in patients with advanced breast cancer.Effective treatment strategies are therefore needed against brain metastasis from breast carcinoma.

Material and methods

In order to identify differences in the capacity for lactate exchange, human T-47D breast cancer cells and human glioblastoma T98G cells were grown under 4?% or 20?% oxygen conditions and examined for MCT1, MCT2 and MCT4 expression on plasma membranes by quantitative post embedding immunogold electron microscopy. Whereas previous studies on MCT expression in tumours have recorded mRNA and protein levels in cell extracts, we examined concentrations of the proteins in the microvillous plasma membrane protrusions specialized for transmembrane transport.

Results

In normoxia, both tumour cell types highly expressed the low affinity transporter MCT4, which is thought to mainly mediate monocarboxylate efflux, while for high affinity transport the breast tumour cells preferentially expressed MCT1 and the brain tumour cells resembled brain neurons in expressing MCT2, rather than MCT1. The expressions of MCT1 and MCT4 were upregulated in hypoxic conditions in both breast and brain tumour cells. The expression of MCT2 also increased in hypoxic breast cancer cells, but decreased in hypoxic brain tumour cells. Quantitative immunoblots showed similar hypoxia induced changes in the protein levels.

Conclusion

The differential expression and regulation of MCTs in the surface membranes of hypoxic and normoxic tumour cells of different types provide a foundation for innovation in tumour therapy through the selective targeting of MCTs. Selective inhibition of various MCTs could be an efficient way to quench an important energy source in both original breast tumour and metastatic cancer tissue in the brain.     

Evaluation of morphine effect on tumour angiogenesis in mouse breast tumour model,EATC

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women, and morphine is used to relieve the pain of patients with cancer. The data on the effects of morphine on tumour growth and angiogenesis are contradictory. We determined in mouse breast cancer model whether analgesic doses of morphine would affect tumour angiogenesis, and then the correlation between microvessel density (MVD), Doppler sonography (DS) and ^99mTc-Tetrofosmin (TF) uptake. Ehrlich ascites tumour cell xenografts, Pgp-negative tumour were divided into two groups: (a) Morphine sulphate [0.714 mg/kg/day (equivalent to 50 mg per day for a 70 kg human)], (b) no-morphine. For the determination of angiogenesis in mice tumour tissue, TF scintigraphy, microvessel density and DS were done. MVD was significantly different between groups (49.4 ± 1.8 vs. 41.8 ± 1.9, morphine and no-morphine groups, respectively, P < 0.001). A strong correlation was found between late uptakes of mass at scintigraphy and degree of angiogenesis in histopathologic examination (r = 0.52, P < 0.01). There was statistically significant inverse correlation between degree of angiogenesis in histopathologic examination and washout ratio of TF (r = 0.40, P < 0.05). The higher values for angiogenesis are related to higher TF reuptake. There was no statistically significant correlation between DS and TF. A strong correlation was found between MVD and grade of DS (r = 0.51, P < 0.01). Our preclinical mice study indicates that morphine at clinically relevant doses stimulates angiogenesis, and angiogenesis triggered of morphine is demonstrated with MVD and DS, but not TF. However, uptake and washout of TF are compared with immunohistochemically assessed morphine-stimulated angiogenesis in tumour tissue.     

直肠良恶性肿瘤中肿瘤相关巨噬细胞和微血管及淋巴管生成的关系

目的:探讨直肠良恶性肿瘤组织中微血管密度(MVD)及淋巴管密度(LVD)与肿瘤相关巨噬细胞(TAMs)数量的相关性。方法:采用免疫组化的方法,用CD68标记TAMs,分别用CD31和D2-40标记微血管和淋巴管,光镜下对TAMs,MVD及LVD进行计数,分析。结果:直肠腺癌组织中的TAMs,MVD及LVD计数明显高于直肠腺瘤型息肉组织(P<0.01);在直肠腺癌组中,TAMs与MVD和LVD有明显相关性(TAMs与MVD:P<0.01;TAMs与LVD:P<0.01),且MVD与直肠癌淋巴结转移(P<0.01)和分化程度(P<0.05)密切相关;而TAMs和LVD仅与淋巴结转移有显著相关性(P<0.01,P<0.05)。结论:TAMs,MVD及LVD可能是反映直肠腺癌发生、发展、转移及侵袭能力的生物学指标,TAMs在肿瘤中的浸润可能与肿瘤血管及淋巴管的生成有关。     

Angiogenesis: a prognostic determinant in pancreatic cancer?

Angiogenesis has been associated with disease progression in many solid tumours, however the statement that tumours need angiogenesis to grow, invade and metastasise seems no longer applicable to all tumours or to all tumour subtypes. Prognostic studies in pancreatic cancer are conflicting. In fact, pancreatic cancer has been suggested an example of a tumour in which angiogenesis is less essential for tumour progression. The aim of the present study was therefore to measure angiogenesis in two anatomically closely related however prognostically different types of pancreatic cancer, pancreatic head and periampullary cancer, and investigate its relation with outcome. Vessels were stained by CD31 on original paraffin embedded tissue from 206 patients with microscopic radical resection (R0) of pancreatic head (n=98) or periampullary cancer (n=108). Angiogenesis was quantified by microvessel density (MVD) and measured by computerised image analysis of three randomly selected fields and investigated for associations with recurrence free survival (RFS), cancer specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS) and conventional prognostic factors. MVD was heterogeneous both between and within tumours. A higher MVD was observed in periampullary cancers compared with pancreatic head cancers (p<.01). Furthermore, MVD was associated with lymph node involvement in pancreatic head (p=.014), but not in periampullary cancer (p=.55). Interestingly, MVD was not associated with RFS, CSS or with OS. In conclusion, angiogenesis is higher in periampullary cancer and although associated with nodal involvement in pancreatic head cancer, pancreatic cancer prognosis seems indeed angiogenesis independent.     

CORRELATIONS AMONG EXPRESSION OF ANGIOPOIETIN-1 TO CLINICAL PATHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS AN ANGIOGENESIS IN ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Objective： To study the expression and the significance of Angiopoietin-1 （Ang-1） through observing the correlations among the expression of Ang-1 to clinicopathologic characteristics and microvessel density （MVD） in oral squamous cell carcinoma （OSCC）. Methods： Expressions of Angiopoietin-1 and CD34 in 41 human OSCC tissues, 30 adjacent noncancerous oral tissues and 10 normal oral mucosas were detected by immunohistochemical SABC method. MCD was also assessed. Results： Of the 41 OSCC tissues, 41.46% （17/41） was Ang-1 positive. The expression of Ang-1 was significantly lower in OSCC than that in adjacent noncancerous oral tissues （P〈0.05） and normal oral mucosa （P〈0.05）. The Ang-1 expression was significantly higher in high differentiated tumor than that in moderately differentiated tumor （P〈0.05）. The MVD was significantly higher in Ang-1-negative OSCC than in Ang-1-positive OSCC （P〈0.01）, and negatively correlated with the expression of Ang-1 （r=-0.32, P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Down-regulated expression of Ang-1 may play a crucial role in the development of OSCC. It negatively regulated the angiogenesis of tumor.     

MIA-dependent angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are closely associated with progression,nodal metastasis and poor prognosis in tongue squamous cell carcinoma

We examined the role of angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis and the relationship between melanoma inhibitory activity (MIA) and angiogenesis or lymphangiogenesis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). One hundred and one formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of primary OSCC were evaluated for microvessel density (MVD), lymphovessel density (LVD), expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF-C, VEGF-D and MIA. Fresh frozen 18 samples of primary OSCC were further examined for the expression of VEGF, VEGF-C, VEGF-D and MIA protein by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In in vitro analysis, we studied the change of VEGF, VEGF-C and VEGF-D expression after MIA siRNA treatment. Higher MVD, LVD and VEGF expression levels were closely associated with tumour progression, nodal metastasis and poor prognosis. Expression levels of VEGF-C and VEGF-D were only related with nodal metastasis. MIA expression was significantly associated with MVD, LVD, VEGF, VEGF-C and VEGF-D expression by immunohistochemistry and ELISA assay. VEGF, VEGF-C, VEGF-D and MIA expression levels of metastatic tongue cancer HSC-3 cells were higher than those with no metastatic HSC-4 cells, and VEGF, VEGF-C and VEGF-D expression levels were decreased by MIA siRNA treatment in both cells. MIA-dependent angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis might be a useful therapeutic target in progressive and metastatic OSCC.     

Presence of tumour-infiltrating FOXP3+ lymphocytes correlates with immature tumour angiogenesis in renal cell carcinomas

Background: FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) inhibit effector T cell functions and are implicated in tumour progression. However, together with microvessel density (MVD) they remain controversial prognostic predictors for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and potential associations have yet to be determined. The objective of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of Tregs and MVD and their potential relationship in RCCs. Design: Paraffin-embedded tissues from 62 RCC patients were analysed using immunohistochemistry to detect FOXP3+ lymphocytes, and double immunohistochemistry to detect different microvessel types in the tumour interior, rim and normal kidney tissue, and their correlation with clinicopathological characteristics. Survival analysis was also performed. Results: The presence of FOXP3+ cells in the tumour interior or the rim showed no correlation with death from RCC and other pathological characteristics. Negative correlations were noted between the immature MVD in the tumour interior or the rim and tumour size, tumour stage and overall survival; however, there was no correlation with the nuclear grade or pathological type. A positive correlation between FOXP3+ Tregs and immature MVD (r=0.363, P=0.014) and mature MVD (r=0.383, P=0.009) was confirmed in the tumour interior. However, there was no correlation between FOXP3+ Tregs and mature MVD (r=0.281, P=0.076) or immature MVD (r=0.064, P=0.692) in the tumour rim. Conclusions: In this study, a positive correlation between the presence of FOXP3+ Tregs and immature and mature MVD in RCC was confirmed, which suggests a link between suppression of immunity, tumour angiogenesis and poor prognosis.     

Bone marrow mast cell density correlates with serum levels of VEGF and CXC chemokines ENA-78 and GRO-α in multiple myeloma

Angiogenesis is a crucial process in growth and progression of multiple myeloma (MM). Mast cells (MCs) play an important role in MM angiogenesis. Various angiogenic mediators secreted by MCs regulate endothelial cell proliferation and function. Among them, ELR⁺ CXC chemokines, such as growth-related oncogen-alpha (GRO-α) and epithelial neutrophil activating protein-78 (ENA-78), have been described as potential mediators in regulation of angiogenesis. The purpose of the study was to quantify MCs in bone marrow (BM) biopsies of MM patients, expressed as MC density (MCD), and correlate it with serum concentrations of vascular endothelial factor (VEGF), GRO-α, ENA-78. Fifty-four newly diagnosed MM patients and 22 healthy controls were studied. Tryptase was used for the immunohistochemical stain of MCs. VEGF, GRO-α, and ENA-78 were measured in sera by ELISA. MCD and serum levels of GRO-α, ENA-78, and VEGF were significantly higher in MM patients compared to controls (p?<?0.001 in all cases). MCD was significantly increasing with increased stage of the disease (p?<?0.001). Furthermore, significant correlations were found between MCD with VEGF, GRO-α, and ENA-78. These findings support that MCs participate in the pathophysiology of MM and is implicated in the angiogenic process and disease progression.     

Proliferation, bcl-2 expression and angiogenesis in pituitary adenomas: relationship to tumour behaviour

The prediction of pituitary tumour behaviour, in terms of response to treatment from which can be derived optimal management strategies, is a challenge that has been approached using several different means. Angiogenesis in other tumour types has been shown to be correlated with poor response to treatment and tumour recurrence. The aim of this paper is to assess the role of measurements of cell proliferation and angiogenesis in predicting pituitary tumour behaviour. The proliferative capacity of the tumour was assessed using the Ki-67 labelling index (LI) while bcl-2 expression was used to assess anti-apoptotic pathways. The microvessel density (MVD) was assessed using antibodies to CD31 and factor VIII-related antigen, and with biotinylated ulex europaeus agglutinin I. There was no difference between Ki-67 LI and MVD of functionless tumours that recurred and those that did not, but bcl-2 expression was significantly lower in tumours that subsequently regrew. Macroprolactinomas had significantly higher LI than microprolactinomas and than all other tumours. Cell proliferation and angiogenesis were not related, showing that both processes are under different control mechanisms in pituitary tumours. In contrast there was a positive relationship between markers of angiogenesis and bcl-2 expression in prolactinomas, GH-secreting tumours and non-recurrent functionless tumours with higher levels of bcl-2 expression being found in the more vascular tumours. These findings may suggest that angiogenesis is related to the ability of tumour cells to survive rather than their proliferative activity.     

胃癌MCD/MVD双标记检测及其意义

 目的　探讨MCD、MVD与胃癌的关系。方法　免疫组化双标记检测 10 0例胃癌组织中MCD/MVD ,并作定量分析。结果　MCD/MVD≤ 0 .9时 ,癌累及浆膜病例较多 ;MCD/MVD >0 .9时 ,癌累及浆膜病例较少 ,两者比较 ,P <0 .0 5。结论　MCD/MVD的比值与癌浸润深度相关 ,是反映胃癌生物学行为的一个有用指标。     

Endothelial area and microvascular density in a canine non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: an interspecies model of tumor angiogenesis

Experimental and clinical data indicate that tumor progression is associated with angiogenesis and that an increase in microvascular density (MVD) is associated with a poor prognosis, in both solid and hematological malignancies. No data have been published concerning the relationship between angiogenesis and malignancy grade in canine non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), which is a neoplasm that shares several biological and clinical characteristics with human NHL. In the present study, we evaluated this relationship in a series of 43 cases of canine NHL. The results demonstrate that both MVD and endothelial area (EA) were significantly higher in high-grade compared to low-grade lymphoma and a good statistical correlation was found between MVD and EA. These data indicate that increased angiogenesis paralleled with increased malignancy grade in canine NHL, which represents an interesting tumor model for studying the role of angiogenesis as an interspecies pathway of tumoral malignancy and biological aggressiveness.     

Microvessel density,mast cell density and thymidine phosphorylase expression in oral squamous carcinoma

To elucidate the role of angiogenesis in the carcinogenesis and progression of oral cancer, we investigated microvessel density (mVd), mast cell density (mCd) and thymidine phosphorylase (TP) expression in a series of 50 patients with T1-3 N0-1 M0 oral squamous carcinoma (OSC) and 21 patients with non-dysplastic oral leukoplakia (NDOLP). Paraffin-embedded pathological tissue was utilised for the immunohistochemical analysis of mVd and TP expression. Toluidine blue histochemical method was employed for mast cell identification. OSC and NDOLP were not significantly different with respect to mVd (mVd mean value +/- SD: 30+/-17 and 27+/-18, respectively) and mCd characteristics (mCd mean value +/- SD: 8+/-6 and 7+/-6 units, respectively). Conversely, tumour epithelia showed some degree of TP immunostaining in 100% of cases compared with 76% in NDOLP samples (p< or =0.001 by Fisher's test). A good correlation was found between mVd and mCd in both NDOLP (c.c. 0.632; p=0.002) and OSC (c.c. 0.496; p=0.000) tissue, whereas no association between TP expression and mVd or between mCd and TP status was evident. At a median follow-up of 18 months, patients with high mVd tumours showed a greater probability of survival than those with low mVd (75 and 40%, respectively; p=0.04 log-rank test). Our results suggest that the development of oral cancer epithelia is associated with a significant increase in TP expression. Conversely, the clinical outcome of OSC seems inversely related specifically to mVd.     

Evaluation of the kinase domain of c-KIT in canine cutaneous mast cell tumors

Background  

Mutations in the c-KIT proto-oncogene have been implicated in the progression of several neoplastic diseases, including gastrointestinal stromal tumors and mastocytosis in humans, and cutaneous mast cell tumors (MCTs) in canines. Mutations in human mastocytosis patients primarily occur in c-KIT exon 17, which encodes a portion of its kinase domain. In contrast, deletions and internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutations are found in the juxtamembrane domain of c-KIT in approximately 15% of canine MCTs. In addition, ITD c-KIT mutations are significantly associated with aberrant KIT protein localization in canine MCTs. However, some canine MCTs have aberrant KIT localization but lack ITD c-KIT mutations, suggesting that other mutations or other factors may be responsible for aberrant KIT localization in these tumors.     

直肠良恶性肿瘤中肿瘤相关巨噬细胞和微血管及淋巴管生成的关系

目的：探讨直肠良恶性肿瘤组织中微血管密度（MVD）及淋巴管密度（LVD）与肿瘤相关巨噬细胞（TAMs）数量的相关性。方法：采用免疫组化的方法,用CD68标记TAMs,分别用CD31和D2-40标记微血管和淋巴管,光镜下对TAMs,MVD及LVD进行计数,分析。结果：直肠腺癌组织中的TAMs,MVD及LVD计数明显高于直肠腺瘤型息肉组织（P〈0.01）;在直肠腺癌组中,TAMs与MVD和LVD有明显相关性（TAMs与MVD：P〈0.01;TAMs与LVD：P〈0.01）,且MVD与直肠癌淋巴结转移（P〈0.01）和分化程度（P〈0.05）密切相关;而TAMs和LVD仅与淋巴结转移有显著相关性（P〈0.01,P〈0.05）。结论：TAMs,MVD及LVD可能是反映直肠腺癌发生、发展、转移及侵袭能力的生物学指标,TAMs在肿瘤中的浸润可能与肿瘤血管及淋巴管的生成有关。