A Retrospective Cohort Study Assessing the Prognostic Significance of Tumor-Associated Macrophages (TAMs) in Gastric Cancer in the Indian Population.

BACKGROUND &

OBJECTIVE

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are key components of the tumor microenvironment and may hold prognostic significance in gastric cancer (GC). Limited data are available from the Indian population.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, CD68 immunohistochemistry was performed on 60 surgically resected gastric adenocarcinomas. TAM density was quantified as the average number of positive cells per high-power field and categorised into low and high groups using a cutoff of 50 cells/HPF. Associations with clinicopathological features were analysed using chi-square and logistic regression.

RESULTS

High TAM density was observed in 70% of cases and was significantly associated with larger tumor size (p = 0.05), increased tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (p = 0.021), advanced pT stage (p = 0.007), lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001), and advanced clinical stage (p = 0.009). On multivariate analysis, lymph node metastasis remained an independent predictor of high TAM density (adjusted OR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.02-6.2; p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

CD68+ TAM density correlates with adverse pathological features in GC and may serve as a useful prognostic marker for patient risk stratification.