Cell surface expression and serum levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in renal cell carcinoma

Abstract

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is the natural ligand of the T-lymphocyte adhesion molecule LFA-1 (lymphocyte-function-associated antigen-1). ICAM-1 is involved in target cell recognition by T-lymphocytes, LAK cells and natural killer cells. The molecule has also been detected on a variety of normal cells and on human tumors. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the few tumors that respond to immunotherapy, but clinical results are generally disappointing. We therefore analyzed, by immunohistochemistry, the expression of ICAM-1 in pairs of normal kidneys, RCC, and RCC metastases. Moreover, serum ICAM-1 was determined in RCC patients and compared with surface expression of cell-bound ICAM-1. Strong glomerular expression of ICAM-1 was observed in all specimens of normal kidney examined. Proximal tubuli were weakly stained in the majority of specimens. Of the tumors, 80% stained positive for ICAM-1. Although ICAM-1 was detected on the majority of extrarenal tumor specimens examined, staining was generally weaker in the metastases. Patients without metastases at initial presentation more frequently expressed ICAM-1 in their primary tumors than did patients with metastases. Levels of serum ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) were significantly higher in RCC patients than in controls with non-malignant renal diseases. Patients with an unfavorable prognosis, e.g. with advanced tumor stage or metastasis at initial presentation, had higher levels of sICAM-1 than patients with low-grade and/or low-stage tumors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pro-Inflammatory and T Cell Inhibitory Cytokines Are Secreted at High Levels in Tumor Cell Cultures of Human Renal Cell Carcinoma

“…Besides inhibiting directly CTL responses, tumors may evade immunosurveillance by shedding soluble receptors, such as sICAM-1 and β 2 -microglobulin. Both mediators were present at high levels in the supernatant of PTCC and have been associated with a poor prognosis in patients with RCC [40]and with an adversely modulating immune response in RCC [41]. …”

Prognostic impact of in vivo soluble cell adhesion molecules in metastatic renal cell carcinoma

“…Furthermore, ICAM-1-positive primary melanomas tend to recur after surgical excision (Natali et al, 1997). Surprisingly, these features seemed to be unique to melanoma and could not be reproduced in a variety of malignancies from different embryonal origins (Natali et al, 1990) and in renal cell carcinoma (Heicapell et al, 1994).…”

ICAM-1 expression by lung cancer cell lines: effects of upregulation by cytokines on the interaction with LAK cells

“…These findings suggest that sICAM-1 release may be one mechanism by which tumour cells escape physical interaction with cytotoxic cells and its functional consequences. Interestingly, increased serum levels of sICAM-1 have been recognized as an unfavourable prognostic marker in patients with melanoma [16], and with renal cell carcinoma [27]. Further studies are needed to evaluate the possible clinical role of the assessment of serum levels of sICAM-1 in patients with lung cancer.…”