High Density of Tumor-infiltrating B-Lymphocytes and Plasma Cells Signifies Prolonged Overall Survival in Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagogastric Junction

Abstract

Background: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been shown to be of prognostic significance in a variety of tumors. Not only T-cell, but also B-cell infiltration is commonly associated with improved survival.

Materials and methods: We assessed the density of tumor-infiltrating B-cells, as well as that of plasma cells, in 210 adenocarcinomas of the esophagogastric junction through immunohistochemical analysis using antibodies against CD20 and CD138.

Results: No correlation between density of B-cells or plasma cells and various clinicopathologic features could be established. High density of tumor-infiltrating B-cells, as well as plasma cells, showed significantly better overall survival (OS) compared to patients with no infiltrates (p=0.047 and p=0.022, respectively). Cox proportional hazard analysis could verify B-cell infiltration as an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio (HR)=0.683; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.517-0.901; p=0.007).

Conclusion: Plasma cell and B-cell infiltration correlates with prolonged OS and might identify a patient subset with favorable disease course.

Keywords: Tumor infiltrating B-cells; adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction; tumor infiltrating plasma cells; tumor microenvironment.