Tumour-infiltrating inflammatory cells can influence the progression and prognosis of solid tumours, but their role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still controversial. We investigated the relationships between the numbers of tumour-infiltrating CD8+, CD4+ and CD68+ cells with the clinicopathological features and the survival of patients with NSCLC. Likewise, we evaluated the role of interleukin (IL)-10+ CD8+ regulatory cells on the progression and prognosis of NSCLC. Tissue specimens from 64 smokers who underwent surgical resection for NSCLC were immunostained to quantify CD8+, CD4+ and CD68+ cells in cancer stroma and cancer cell nests. Double immunohistochemistry was used to identify and count IL-10+ CD8+ cells. Results were expressed as the number of CD8+ cells/area and as the percentage of IL-10+ CD8+ cells/total CD8+ cells. The numbers of CD8+, CD4+ and CD68+ cells in cancer stroma and cancer cell nests were similar in stage I as compared to stages II, III and IV NSCLC. Moreover, they did not correlate with the overall patient survival. Conversely, the percentage of IL-10+ CD8+ cells in cancer stroma was higher in stage I as compared to stages II, III and IV NSCLC (p=0.0005). Furthermore, survival was significantly longer in patients with a higher percentage of IL-10+ CD8+ cells than in those with a lower percentage (logrank: p=0.0386). In conclusion, IL-10+ CD8+ cells appear to be associated with a better prognosis in patients with NSCLC. The positive prognostic impact on survival of CD8+ T regulatory cells could be linked to their tumour-suppressing activity.
Tumour-infiltrating CD8+ cells expressing IL-10, but not CD8+, CD4+ and CD68+ cells, are associated with a better prognosis in patients with NSCLC
BOSCHETTO, Piera;LO CASCIO, Natalina;MIOTTO, Deborah;PEDRIALI, Massimo;QUERZOLI, Patrizia;DE ROSA, Edoardo;MAPP, Cristina
2008
Abstract
Tumour-infiltrating inflammatory cells can influence the progression and prognosis of solid tumours, but their role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still controversial. We investigated the relationships between the numbers of tumour-infiltrating CD8+, CD4+ and CD68+ cells with the clinicopathological features and the survival of patients with NSCLC. Likewise, we evaluated the role of interleukin (IL)-10+ CD8+ regulatory cells on the progression and prognosis of NSCLC. Tissue specimens from 64 smokers who underwent surgical resection for NSCLC were immunostained to quantify CD8+, CD4+ and CD68+ cells in cancer stroma and cancer cell nests. Double immunohistochemistry was used to identify and count IL-10+ CD8+ cells. Results were expressed as the number of CD8+ cells/area and as the percentage of IL-10+ CD8+ cells/total CD8+ cells. The numbers of CD8+, CD4+ and CD68+ cells in cancer stroma and cancer cell nests were similar in stage I as compared to stages II, III and IV NSCLC. Moreover, they did not correlate with the overall patient survival. Conversely, the percentage of IL-10+ CD8+ cells in cancer stroma was higher in stage I as compared to stages II, III and IV NSCLC (p=0.0005). Furthermore, survival was significantly longer in patients with a higher percentage of IL-10+ CD8+ cells than in those with a lower percentage (logrank: p=0.0386). In conclusion, IL-10+ CD8+ cells appear to be associated with a better prognosis in patients with NSCLC. The positive prognostic impact on survival of CD8+ T regulatory cells could be linked to their tumour-suppressing activity.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
