Spontaneous apoptosis of tumor-specific tetramer+ CD8+ T lymphocytes in the peripheral circulation of patients with head and neck cancer.
BACKGROUND
In cancer, tumor escape from the host immune system includes apoptosis of circulating CD3(+)CD8(+) effector T lymphocytes. Here, we compare sensitivity to apoptosis of virus- with tumor-specific circulating CD8(+) T cells in patients with head and neck cancer.


METHODS
Wild-type p53 peptide-specific (p53(264-272) and p53(149-157)) and viral peptide-specific (EBV BMLF(259-267) and CMVpp65(495-503)) tetramers were used to measure the frequency of reactive T cells by flow cytometry. Annexin V (ANX) binding to circulating 7-amino-actinomycin D-negative but tetramer(+)CD8(+) T cells in PBMC obtained from 21 patients with head and neck cancer and 11 normal controls (NC) was evaluated.


RESULTS
In patients with head and neck cancer, a higher percentage of tetramer(+)CD8(+) than tetramer(-)CD8(+) T cells bound ANX (p < .023-.005). Although most tumor-epitope(+)CD8(+) T cells bound ANX, lower percentages of virus-specific CD8(+) T cells were ANX(+) in the same patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Preferential demise of circulating tumor-specific CD8(+) T cells and their paucity in head and neck cancer contribute to tumor escape.
Albers
Andreas E
AE
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Charite-Universitatsmedizin, Berlin, Germany.
Schaefer
Carsten
C
Visus
Carmen
C
Gooding
William
W
DeLeo
Albert B
AB
Whiteside
Theresa L
TL
D017304:Annexin A5 / Q000378:metabolism*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D017304:Annexin A5; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor