TY - JOUR T1 - Markers of Stroma in Lung Cancer: Influence of COPD JO - Archivos de Bronconeumología T2 - AU - Tang,Jun AU - Ramis-Cabrer,Daniel AU - Curull,Víctor AU - Mateu-Jiménez,Mercé AU - Almagro,Klara AU - Duran,Xavier AU - Pijuan,Lara AU - Rodríguez-Fuster,Alberto AU - Aguiló,Rafael AU - Barreiro,Esther SN - 15792129 M3 - 10.1016/j.arbr.2020.09.005 DO - 10.1016/j.arbr.2020.09.005 UR - https://archbronconeumol.org/en-markers-stroma-in-lung-cancer-articulo-S1579212921000173 AB - BackgroundStroma, mainly composed by fibroblasts, extracellular matrix (ECM) and vessels, may play a role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an independent risk factor for LC. We hypothesized that markers of fibroblasts, ECM and endothelial cells may differ in tumors of LC patients with/without COPD. MethodsMarkers of cultured cancer-associated fibroblasts and normal fibroblasts [CAFs and NFs, respectively, vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA) markers, immunofluorescence in cultured lung fibroblasts], ECM, and endothelial cells (type I collagen and CD31 markers, respectively, immunohistochemistry) were identified in lung tumor and non-tumor specimens (thoracotomy for lung tumor resection) from 15 LC-COPD patients and 15 LC-only patients. ResultsNumbers of CAFs significantly increased, while those of NFs significantly decreased in tumor samples compared to non-tumor specimens of both LC and LC-COPD patients. Endothelial cells (CD31) significantly decreased in tumor samples compared to non-tumor specimens only in LC patients. No significant differences were seen in levels of type I collagen in any samples or study groups. ConclusionsVascular endothelial marker CD31 expression was reduced in tumors of non-COPD patients, while type I collagen levels did not differ between groups. A rise in CAFs levels was detected in lung tumors of patients irrespective of airway obstruction. Low levels of CD31 may have implications in the overall survival of LC patients, especially in those without underlying airway obstruction. Identification of CD31 role as a prognostic and therapeutic biomarker in lung tumors of patients with underlying respiratory diseases warrants attention. ER -