Metastasis via Peritumoral Lymphatic Dilation in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
- Author:
Han Seok KIM
1
;
Young Wook PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Korea. ywpark@gwnu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Oral squamous cell carcinoma;
Lymphangiogenic factor;
Nodal metastasis;
Lymphatic vessel density;
Lymphatic vessel dilation
- MeSH:
Basement Membrane;
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell*;
Collagenases;
Dilatation;
Endothelial Cells;
Glycocalyx;
Humans;
Ligands;
Lymphatic Vessels;
Neoplasm Metastasis*;
Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor;
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A;
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D;
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3
- From:Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
2014;36(3):85-93
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Nodal metastasis is the main prognostic factor in the patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We investigated the association between tumor-associated lymphatics and OSCC characteristics. METHODS: Thirty-four specimens were used for the immunohistochemical staining with the antibody for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C, VEGF-D, VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-3, phosphorylated VEGFR-3, D2-40, and matrix metallproteinases (MMPs). We observed the distribution of the lymphangiogenic factors and quantified the degree of expression. We determined lymphatic vessel density (LVD) and lymphatic vessel dilatation with D2-40 immunostaining. We assessed the association of LVD or lymphatic vessel dilatation with tumor progression or tumor differentiation. RESULTS: OSCC cells expressed lymphangiogenic ligands. Lymphangiogenic receptor, VEGFR-3, was expressed and activated in some tumor cells as well as in tumor-associated endothelial cells. LVD was not associated with tumor size or nodal status, but lymphatic vessel dilatation was higher in tumors with nodal metastasis, and also higher in poorly differentiated tumors. In stromal area of OSCC, MMP-1 and MMP-10 were up-regulated and the basement membrane of tumor-associated endothelial cells was destroyed by these collagenases. CONCLUSION: In the primary tumors with nodal metastasis, especially in poorly differentiated OSCC, tumor cells invaded the dilated lymphatic vessels via ruptured sites. MMP-1 and MMP-10 are important in the lysis of the glycocalyx inside the tumor-associated lymphatic endothelial cells.
