Tumour-infiltrating gamma/delta T-lymphocytes are correlated with a brief disease-free interval in advanced ovarian serous carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Significant progress has been made in understanding the molecular biology of ovarian carcinoma. Along with the molecular characteristics of cancer, the patient's response to the tumour may also contribute to survival; in particular, the effect of the immune system may play an important role on survival of cancer patients.


METHODS
We analysed the CD3 positive tumour-infiltrating T cells and direct molecular assessment of T cell receptors (TCRs) gamma and beta in 95 advanced ovarian carcinomas.


RESULTS
Gamma/delta T cells are statistically correlated with a brief disease-free interval (P=0.036). CD3 positive tumour-infiltrating T cells are correlated with a brief disease-free interval and with survival (P=0.004 and P=0.0001, respectively). CD3 positive tumour-infiltrating T cells are associated with clinical responsiveness to chemotherapy (P=0.003).


CONCLUSIONS
Further studies are required to better understand the role of gamma/delta T cells in ovarian carcinoma, yet these data underline the importance of host immune response to cancer and the need to better study immune mechanisms to modulate the therapeutic treatment of cancer.
Raspollini
M R
MR
Department of Human Pathology and Oncology and Department of Gynecology, Perinatology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Florence, School of Medicine, Florence, Italy. mariarosaria.raspollini@unifi.it
Castiglione
F
F
Rossi Degl'innocenti
D
D
Amunni
G
G
Villanucci
A
A
Garbini
F
F
Baroni
G
G
Taddei
G L
GL
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000276:immunology*; D018293:Cystadenoma, Serous / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*
D017252:CD3 Complex; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta