Photo Credit: Mohammed Haneefa Nizamudeen

The following is a summary of “Expression and prognostic significance of CD93 in blood vessels in colorectal cancer: an immunohistochemical analysis of 134 cases,” published in the February 2025 issue of the BMC Gastroenterology by Yang et al.

The abnormal architecture of tumor-associated blood vessels, characterized by tortuosity and dilation, plays a crucial role in shaping the tumor microenvironment and influencing disease progression. CD93, a recently identified transmembrane receptor primarily expressed in tumor endothelial cells, has been implicated in the prognosis of various cancers. However, its specific role in the vasculature of colorectal cancer (CRC) and its prognostic relevance remain unclear. 

This study aims to investigate the expression of CD93 in CRC tissues, its correlation with clinicopathological factors, and its potential prognostic value. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on CRC tissue samples obtained from 134 patients to assess CD93 expression levels. The relationship between CD93 expression and clinicopathological features was analyzed to determine its significance in tumor progression and patient outcomes. The results demonstrated that CD93 expression was significantly elevated in CRC-associated blood vessels compared to adjacent normal tissue vasculature. 

Furthermore, increased CD93 expression was associated with tumor size and microsatellite instability status. Notably, CD93 expression was positively correlated with macrophage infiltration within CRC tissues, suggesting a potential role in modulating the tumor immune microenvironment. Importantly, high CD93 expression levels were linked to vascular normalization, a process that can improve tumor perfusion and response to therapy. Moreover, patients with elevated CD93 expression exhibited better overall survival, highlighting its potential as a favorable prognostic marker in CRC. 

These findings suggest that CD93 plays a pivotal role in CRC vasculature, contributing to immune cell infiltration and vascular remodeling. The detection of CD93 expression in CRC tissues may serve as a valuable biomarker for predicting tumor vascular normalization and patient prognosis. Further research is warranted to explore the mechanistic pathways through which CD93 influences tumor angiogenesis and immune interactions, as well as its potential as a therapeutic target in CRC management.

Source: bmcgastroenterol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12876-025-03643-2