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Objective
To examine the frequency of tumor-infiltrating Tie-2-expressing monocytes (TEMs) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and its association with microvessel density (MVD) and other clinical-pathologic features.
Materials and Methods
This study enrolled 65 consecutive patients with RCC treated with radical nephrectomy. The frequency of tumor-infiltrating TEMs, which was defined as CD14+ Tie-2+ cells, was assessed using flow cytometry. MVD was measured by immunohistochemistry using anti-CD34 antibody. The association between clinicopathologic parameters, MVD, and the frequency of tumor-infiltrating TEMs in RCC was assessed.
Results
High frequency of tumor-infiltrating TEMs was significantly associated with advanced stage (P?= .018), positive lymph nodes (P?= .013), high grade (P?= .019), and metastases (P?= .006). Correlation analysis revealed that the frequency of TEMs was positively correlated with MVD.
Conclusion
Our findings revealed a significant association between prognostic tumor features, MVD, and the frequency of tumor-infiltrating TEMs in RCC and indicated that TEMs may play an important role in angiogenesis and progression of RCC.
