The prognostic significance and relationship with body composition of CCR7-positive cells in colorectal cancer

Background and Objectives The host local immune response (LIR) to cancer is a determinant of cancer outcome. Regulation of this local response is largely achieved through chemokine synthesis from the tumor microenvironment such as C‐Chemokine‐Receptor‐7 (CCR7). We examined the LIR measured as CCR7 expression, in colorectal cancers (CRC) and explored relationships with body composition (BC) and survival. Methods A study of paraffin‐embedded tissue specimens was carried out in 116 patients with non‐metastatic CRC. CCR7 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. Analysis of computer tomography scans was used to calculate BC parameters. Survival analyses and multivariate regression models were used. Results High CCR7+ cell density within the tumor stroma and at the margin was significantly associated with increased age, the presence of lymphovascular invasion, higher tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, high Klintrup‐Makinen immune score, and myosteatosis. High CCR7+ cell density in the tumor margin was significantly associated with shorter disease‐free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) (P