Impact of HTLV-1 infection on clinicopathological characteristics and tumour immune microenvironment in colorectal cancer.

IF 3.4 3区医学 Q1 PATHOLOGY

Virchows Archiv Pub Date : 2025-03-20 DOI:10.1007/s00428-025-04074-w

Rin Yamada, Kota Arima, Hiromu Yano, Yukio Fujiwara, Kohei Yamashita, Kosuke Kanemitsu, Norihisa Hanada, Jun-Ichirou Yasunaga, Masaaki Iwatsuki, Yoshiki Mikami, Yoshihiro Komohara

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Recent advances in anti-cancer therapy have indicated the significance of the tumour immune microenvironment in tumour progression and resistance to anti-cancer therapy. This study investigated primary colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues resected from 180 cases in a single institute in a region highly endemic for human T-cell leukaemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) carriers. Among those 180 cases, 35 HTLV-1 carriers were identified. CRC patients who were HTLV-1 carriers were significantly older (mean age: 76.9 vs. 72.7 years, P = 0.0341), with a lower incidence of lymph node metastases (pN0: 91% vs. 65%, P = 0.0085), and lower tumour stages (stage III or IV: 11% vs. 36%, P = 0.0117) compared to non-carriers. HTLV-1 carriers tended to show a lower incidence of relapse, although the difference was not significant (P = 0.2272). The density of forkhead box P3-positive regulatory T cells (Tregs) was significantly higher in HTLV-1 carriers (median density: 132 vs. 89 cells/mm², P = 0.0051). In situ hybridisation showed cells positive for HTLV-1 basic leucine zipper factor, likely representing lymphocytes located in stroma around the cancer nest. Our findings indicate that lymph node metastasis was significantly suppressed in CRC patients infected with HTLV-1. Since HTLV-1 infection reportedly impairs the immunosuppressive functions of Tregs, anti-cancer immune responses are potentially enhanced in CRC patients who are HTLV-1 carriers.

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来源期刊

Virchows Archiv 医学-病理学

CiteScore

7.40

自引率

2.90%

发文量

204

审稿时长

4-8 weeks

期刊介绍： Manuscripts of original studies reinforcing the evidence base of modern diagnostic pathology, using immunocytochemical, molecular and ultrastructural techniques, will be welcomed. In addition, papers on critical evaluation of diagnostic criteria but also broadsheets and guidelines with a solid evidence base will be considered. Consideration will also be given to reports of work in other fields relevant to the understanding of human pathology as well as manuscripts on the application of new methods and techniques in pathology. Submission of purely experimental articles is discouraged but manuscripts on experimental work applicable to diagnostic pathology are welcomed. Biomarker studies are welcomed but need to abide by strict rules (e.g. REMARK) of adequate sample size and relevant marker choice. Single marker studies on limited patient series without validated application will as a rule not be considered. Case reports will only be considered when they provide substantial new information with an impact on understanding disease or diagnostic practice.