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.

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