title: Regulatory T cells and their prognostic value for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
abstract: Regulatory T cells (Treg) are important regulators of anti-cancer immune responses, and an increase in Treg frequency was observed in the blood of cancer patients. Blood samples from 112 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma antigen (HNSCC) were obtained at the time of tumour diagnosis, and lymphocyte subpopulations (CD3(+); CD3(-)CD16(+)CD56(+); CD4(+); CD8(+); CD19(+); CD4(+)CD45RA(+)) with emphasis on Treg counts (CD3(+)CD4(+)CD25(+)), complete blood count and tumour markers (squamous cell carcinoma [SCC]; CEA; alpha-1-antitrypsin [AAT]; Cyfra 21-1; C-reactive protein [CRP]) were analysed. The data were grouped according to TNM classification, and their significance for the course of the disease at an interval of 1 year after the end of the therapy was determined. The percentage of CD8(+) cells increased and the CD/D8 ratio decreased with tumour grade. The ratio of B lymphocytes decreased in patients with locoregional metastases (11.25%versus 9.22%). Treg (15.2%) and CD4(+) cells (45.3%) increased, while NK cells (11.8%) decreased in HNSCC patients compared to controls (9.0%, 38.1% and 15.8%, respectively). The data obtained at time of diagnosis were used to assess the significance of tumour markers (SCC, Cyfra 21-1 and AAT) for evaluation of prognosis. The erythrocyte counts (4.64 x 10(12)/l versus 4.45 x 10(12)/l) and haemoglobin levels (14.58 g/dl versus 14.05 g/dl) decreased, while Treg counts (8.91%versus 15.70%) increased in patients with early recurrence. Our results show that examination of these parameters could be helpful for prognostication in HNSCC patients and aid improvement of treatment strategy.
authors.affiliation: Charles University, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Motol, V Uvalu, Prague, Czech Republic. jboucek99@seznam.cz
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boucek
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mrkvan
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chovanec
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kuchar
authors.forename: Jaroslav
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Betka
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Boucek
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hladikova
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Betka
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Eckschlager
authors.forename: Blanka
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rihova
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor