Dataset Information

Brief report: Lymph node morphology in stage II colorectal cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-associated morbidity and mortality worldwide. The local anti-tumour immune response is particularly important for patients with stage II where the tumour-draining lymph nodes have not yet succumbed to tumour spread. The lymph nodes allow for the expansion and release of B cell compartments such as primary follicles and germinal centres. A variation in this anti-tumour immune response may influence the observed clinical heterogeneity in stage II patients.

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore tumour-draining lymph node histomorphological changes and tumour pathological risk factors including the immunomodulatory microRNA-21 (miR-21) in a small cohort of stage II CRC.

Methods

A total of 23 stage II colorectal cancer patients were included. Tumour and normal mucosa samples were analysed for miR-21 expression levels and B-cell compartments were quantified from Haematoxylin and Eosin slides of lymph nodes. These measures were compared to clinicopathological risk factors such as perforation, bowel obstruction, T4 stage and high-grade.

Results

We observed greater Follicle density in patients with a lower tumour T stage and higher germinal centre density in patients with higher pre-operative carcinoembryonic antigen levels. Trends were also detected between tumours with deficiency in mismatch repair proteins, lymphatic invasion and both the density and size of B-cell compartments. Lastly, elevated tumour miR-21 was associated with decreased Follicle and germinal centre size.

Conclusion

Variation in B-cell compartments of tumour-draining lymph nodes is associated with clinicopathological risk factors in stage II CRC patients.

SUBMITTER: Greenwood A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8007027 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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