L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) in stage IB cervical cancer: distinct expression in squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas

Abstract

AimsL1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) has been shown to be correlated with tumour progression, attributed to its possible association with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), characterised by the expression of vimentin and loss of e-cadherin. Herein, we investigate the associations between L1CAM and clinicopathological parameters, as well as the expression of vimentin and e-cadherin, in carcinomas restricted to the cervix.MethodsThe study was retrospective observational and included 45 squamous cell carcinomas (63.4%) and 26 adenocarcinomas (36.6%) submitted to primary surgical treatment. Patient age, FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage, tumour size and follow-up were obtained from the medical records. All the slides were revised to evaluate histological differentiation, lymphovascular space invasion, depth of infiltration, disease-free cervical wall thickness, pattern of invasion front, Silva pattern (for adenocarcinomas) and the percentage of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes. Tissue microarrays were constructed for immunohistochemical staining for L1CAM, e-cadherin and vimentin.ResultsAdenocarcinomas were associated with lower disease-free and overall survival. L1CAM and vimentin expressions were more frequent among adenocarcinomas, although loss of e-cadherin expression was more common among squamous carcinomas. L1CAM expression was associated with larger tumours, vimentin expression and lower disease-free survival. No association was observed between the expression of either L1CAM or vimentin and loss of e-cadherin. High levels of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes were more frequent in squamous cell carcinoma, high-grade tumours, destructive pattern at front of invasion and loss of e-cadherin expression.ConclusionsOur results confirm the prognostic role of L1CAM in cervical carcinomas, but suggest a role for mechanisms other than EMT.

Clinicopathological characteristics of endometrial carcinomas according to DNA mismatch repair protein status

“…Classical pathological characteristics, such as the histological type, tumor grade, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), depth of myometrial infiltration, and lymph node involvement, remain discriminatory for tumors with nonspecific molecular profile and those with mismatch repair deficiency (MMRd), but these tumor types are very heterogeneous and their classification would be improved by the consideration of additional prognostic factors. One such factor is the expression of L1 Cell Adhesion Molecule (L1CAM), a transmembrane glycoprotein of the immunoglobulin superfamily, that is involved in the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and is expressed by different aggressive tumors types [ [7] , [8] , [9] ].…”

Dual T cell receptor/chimeric antigen receptor engineered NK‐92 cells targeting the HPV16 E6 oncoprotein and the tumor‐associated antigen L1CAM exhibit enhanced cytotoxicity and specificity against tumor cells

“…The aim was to reduce standalone activity of the L1‐CAR, thus improving the tumor cell‐specificity of this combinatorial approach. L1CAM has been found to be a strong predictor for recurrence of tumors and decreased survival, 19 and is associated with more aggressive cervical tumors 21 . With our approach, we envisioned to enhance the functionality of NK‐92/CD3/CD8/AC1 cells by means of costimulation with the L1CAM CAR.…”

Quantitative Proteomics for the Identification of Differentially Expressed Proteins in the Extracellular Vesicles of Cervical Cancer Cells

“…LPL also had one of the highest FC; it was upregulated in cervical squamous cell carcinoma, and their overexpression in the cervical cancer cell lines SW756 and C-33 A increased their invasiveness of them [ 56 ]. L1CAM is considered a prognostic marker in several types of cancer and has been suggested to be involved in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) [ 57 ]. Its presence in cervical cancer is associated with larger tumor size, shorter disease-free survival, and the expression of VIM (vimentin) [ 57 , 58 ].…”

“…L1CAM is considered a prognostic marker in several types of cancer and has been suggested to be involved in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) [ 57 ]. Its presence in cervical cancer is associated with larger tumor size, shorter disease-free survival, and the expression of VIM (vimentin) [ 57 , 58 ]. HTRA1 (high-temperature requirement protein 1) has been considered a tumor suppressor.…”