Abstract
Evaluation of: Kodama J, Hasengaowa, Kusumoto T et al. Association of CXCR4 and CCR7 chemokine receptor expression and lymph node metastasis in human cervical cancer. Ann. Oncol. 18, 70–76 (2007).
Previous reports have suggested that chemokine receptors play a pivotal role in cancer invasion and metastasis. However, expression of chemokine receptors in uterine cervical cancer has seldom been evaluated. Using immunohistochemical methods, Kodama and colleagues investigated an association between CXCR4 and CCR7 expression and clinicopathological variables. They used logistic regression analysis to reveal that CXCR4 and CCR7 are independent factors influencing pelvic lymph node metastasis. Moreover, CXCR4 and CCR7 expression are independent prognostic factors for overall patient survival rates. These data demonstrate the clinical significance of CXCR4 and CCR7 expression for lymph node metastasis in uterine cervical cancer.