Reversed CD4/CD8 ratios of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are correlated with the progression of human cervical carcinoma
Journal
Cancer
Journal Volume
86
Journal Issue
8
Pages
1537-1543
Date Issued
1999
Author(s)
Abstract
BACKGROUND. To investigate the clinical significance of tumor- infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs)within the tumor milieu of human cervical carcinoma, the authors quantitatively measured and compared the subpopulations of lymphocytes infiltrating the neoplastic cervix. METHODS. A total of 30 patients with Stage Ia-IIa cervical carcinoma were enrolled. TILs were isolated from tissue specimens by means of a mechanical dispersal technique, and the immunocyte subsets were quantified with dual-color flow cytometry. Bulky tumor was defined as tumor size >4 cm in greatest dimension according to the 1995 staging of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. RESULTS. The CD4/CD8 ratios of TILs were reversed in both cervical squamous cell carcinoma in = 20) and cervical adenocarcinoma in = 10). The proportion of CD4+ T cells was significantly lower in tumors from patients with lymph node metastasis (n = 8) than in those from patients without lymph node metastasis in = 22) (24.5 vs. 32.7, P = 0.001), as was the reversed CD4/CD8 ratio (0.50 vs. 0.81, P = 0.001). The proportion of CD4+ T cells was much lower in bulky tumors (n = 5) than in nonbulky tumors in = 25) (21.4 vs. 32.5, P < 0 001), reflecting in a more strongly reversed CD4/CD8 ratio (0.41 vs. 0.81, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS. Decreased proportions of tumor-infiltrating CD4+ T cells with reversed CD4/CD8 ratios are highly correlated with rapid tumor growth and lymph node metastasis in cervical carcinoma. The regional immune escape is of prognostic importance with regard to cancer progression.
SDGs
Other Subjects
article; cancer growth; cancer staging; clinical article; correlation function; female; human; human tissue; lymph node metastasis; lymphocyte count; priority journal; tumor associated leukocyte; uterine cervix carcinoma; Adenocarcinoma; Antigens, CD4; Antigens, CD8; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; CD4-CD8 Ratio; Disease Progression; Female; Humans; Immunophenotyping; Killer Cells, Natural; Lymph Nodes; Lymphatic Metastasis; Lymphocyte Count; Lymphocyte Subsets; Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating; Neoplasm Staging; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
Type
journal article