Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)‐1 in adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck

Abstract

Objectives/Hypothesis: Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck (ACCHN) is characterized by late recurrence and frequent distant metastasis. Tumor attack by cytotoxic T lymphocytes and macrophages is mediated by the interaction of leukocyte function‐associated antigen (LFA)‐1 on lymphocytes with intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)‐1 on the tumor surface. Thus, the reduced expression of ICAM‐1 on tumor cells could contribute to their escape from host immune surveillance. To investigate the relationship between the clinical features of ACCHN and host immune surveillance, the expression of ICAM‐1 and infiltration of T/natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages were immunohistochemically examined. Study Design: Retrospective analysis of immunohistochemical tumor characteristics and clinical outcome. Methods: Immunohistochemical study of ICAM‐1, T/NK cells, and macrophages was performed on paraffin sections of 42 patients with ACCHN. The expression of T/NK cells and macrophages was represented by T‐cell‐restricted antigen (TIA)‐1 and CD68 expression, respectively. The expression of these molecules and clinical features were analyzed. Results: Of 42 ACCHN cases, 15,9, and 15 patients were classified as ICAM‐1 high, TIA‐1 high, and CD68 high, respectively. The TIA‐1 expression scores in ICAM‐1‐low patients were significantly lower than those in ICAM‐1‐high patients (1.3 ± 3.7 vs. 8.3 ± 12.7, P = .0031). The CD68 expression scores in ICAM‐1‐low patients were also significantly lower than those in ICAM‐1‐high patients (9.6 ± 9.G vs. 21.1 ± 17.6, P = .0047). Moreover, ICAM‐1‐high patients had a significantly better disease‐free survival rate (P = .043). Conclusions: Reduced expression of ICAM‐1 may promote immune evasion and metastasis, resulting in poor prognosis in ACCHN.

Dicer-regulated microRNAs 222 and 339 promote resistance of cancer cells to cytotoxic T-lymphocytes by down-regulation of ICAM-1

“…These observations suggest that the reduced expression of ICAM-1 on tumor cells could prevent efficient association of CTLs to tumor cells, contributing, at least partially, to tumor escape from the host immune surveillance. Indeed, reduced expression of ICAM-1 is associated with poor prognosis in various cancers, such as melanoma (30) and head and neck (31), breast (32), colorectal (33), and ovarian cancers (34). These previous studies also point to the significance of identifying miRs that regulate ICAM-1.…”

Anti‐intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 antibody's effect on noise damage

“…Studies have also shown that ICAM‐1 plays an important role in diseases of the head and neck, including otitis media,10 cholesteatoma,11 inner and middle ear inflammation,12, 19, 20 nasal polyposis,21, 22 and carcinoma of the head and neck 13, 23. Systemic administration of anti‐ICAM‐1 antibody in experimental immune‐mediated labyrinthitis showed reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in the scala tympani and the perisaccular tissue of the endolymphatic sac 24.…”

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck – An update

“…Also the reduced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) may promote immune evasion and metastasis, resulting in poor prognosis in AdCC [69]. Increased expression of the membrane-cytoskeletal linker Ezrin, and its partner CD44V6, has been also associated with a more aggressive behavior [70].…”