Stromal expression of cancer‑associated fibroblast‑related molecules, versican and lumican, is strongly associated with worse relapse‑free and overall survival times in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Cancer‑associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment play an essential role progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The present study aimed to investigate expression CAF‑related molecules, versican, periostin and lumican, cancer stroma, provide prognostic stratification for patients with ESCC after surgery. A total 106 who underwent curative esophagectomy without preoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy were enrolled. stromal proteins, including was examined using immunohistochemistry, value assessed by Kaplan‑Meier survival analysis, univariate multivariate Cox regression models. lumican found specifically component ESCC. analysis demonstrated that, compared a low level, high level stroma significantly associated worse relapse‑free (RFS) overall times values versican remained significant stratified stage I patients. Moreover, revealed that independent factor RFS expressed ESCC, particular may have clinical utility as biomarker poor postoperative