High CC chemokine receptor 7 expression improves postoperative prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma patients

Background: Chemokines and chemokine receptors not only have significant roles in cancer metastasis and tumorigenesis but also act as antitumour agents. The interaction between the Crk-like adaptor protein (CrkL), which is encoded by the CRKL gene, and non-receptor tyrosine kinase c-ABL is reported to transform many cells into malignant cells. We examined the effects of CC chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7), CCR7 ligands and CrkL and c-ABL in lung adenocarcinoma. Methods: One hundred and twenty patients with lung adenocarcinoma were included in this historical cohort analysis. We examined CCR7 and CCR7 ligands and CrkL and c-ABL mRNA expressions in surgically resected lung adenocarcinoma specimens and evaluated their contribution to prognosis, and the relationship with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and TP53 mutations. Results: High CCR7 mRNA expressions indicated better prognoses than those of the groups with low CCR7 mRNA expressions ( P =0.007, HR=2.00, 95% CI of ratio: 1.22 –3.31). In lung adenocarcinoma, CrkL and c-ABL mRNAs were related to CCR7 mRNA expression ( P