CXCR7 expression in esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND: The chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 play a major role in tumor invasion, proliferation and metastasis in different malignant diseases, including esophageal carcinoma, amongst others. CXCR7 was recently identified as a novel alternate receptor for CXCL12. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of expression of chemokine receptor CXCR7 in patients with esophageal carcinoma (EC).

METHODS: Expression of CXCR7 in primary tumors, lymph nodes and distant metastases of 299 patients with EC was evaluated by immunohistochemistry on a tissue microarray and compared with clinical and histopathological data.

RESULTS: In esophageal cancer sections, CXCR7-specific reactivity was apparent in 45% of the squamous cell carcinomas (ESCC), but only occasionally in adenocarcinomas. No correlation between CXCR4 and CXCR7 expression was evident. We correlated expression with clinical and histopathological characteristics, but could not find any association.

CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to the other known CXCL12 receptor, CXCR4, CXCR7 is expressed in ESCC only, underlining the divergent mechanisms and backgrounds of EAC and ESCC. The results of the study do not indicate a significant functional role for CXCR7 in EAC or ESCC of the esophagus. However, its variable expression in the main two main types of EC needs to be further investigated.