The density of CD68+ or CD163+ TAMs in four different areas (epithelial and stromal compartments of both the tumor center and invasive front) were analyzed in 143 cases of MSI-high advanced gastric cancers using a computerized image analysis system.
In conclusion, preoperative serum sMR and sCD163 may be novel diagnostic and prognostic markers for GC and further studies are required in order to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of sMR and CD163 in the development and progression of GC.
<b>Material and methods:</b> hypoixa by expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), polarized functional status of infiltrated TAMs by immunohistochemical staining of CD68 and CD163, and the expression of E-cadherin as EMT property had been evaluated in 236 patients consecutive with histologically confirmed GC.