Association of CCL2 with lymph node metastasis and macrophage infiltration in oral cavity and lip squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Aims/methods: We investigated the expression of CCL2 by immunohistochemistry in samples of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC), lip squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and metastatic and nonmetastatic lymph nodes. The relationship of CCL2 with survival data was also evaluated.

Results: The percentage of CCL2+ cells in tumor parenchyma was similar in OCSCC and LSCC. In stroma, OCSCC showed a higher number of CCL2+ cells when compared with LSCC. In contrast, higher CD68+ macrophage counts were observed in LSCC. Low macrophage counts were significantly related to a greater proliferative index in tumoral cells. The density of CCL2+ nodal cells was significantly higher in metastatic lymph nodes when compared with nonmetastatic lymph nodes. When considering CCL2 in the parenchyma, the mean survival time for the patients with high CCL2+ cell counts was lower than that for patients with low CCL2+ cell counts. In contrast, in stroma, the mean survival time for the patients with high CCL2+ cell percentages was higher than for those with low CCL2+ cell percentages.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest a role for CCL2 in the spreading of tumoral cells to the lymph node in OCSCC. Furthermore, the CCL2-independent macrophage infiltration may play a role in determining less aggressive behavior.