Characterization of the intra-prostatic immune cell infiltration in androgen-deprived prostate cancer patients.
BACKGROUND
Our goal was to study the hormonal regulation of immune cell infiltration in prostate cancer patients treated by androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) using an optimized computer-assistance quantification approach.


METHODS
The relative density of immune cell subtypes (CD3(+), CD8(+), CD20(+), CD56(+), CD68(+) and Foxp3(+)) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in archived prostate specimens from control patients (radical prostatectomy only, n=40) and ADT-treated patients (ADT prior to radical prostatectomy, n=35) using an image analysis software and a whole-slide scanner.


RESULTS
ADT-treated patients had significantly increased relative density of CD3(+) (p<0.001) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes (p<0.001) as well as CD68(+) macrophages (p<0.001). Elevated abundance of CD56(+) Natural Killer (NK) cells was associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer progression (p=0.044), while a high density of CD68(+) macrophages was related to an increased risk of biochemical recurrence (p=0.011).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrate that the infiltration of specific immune cell subtypes is modulated by ADT. Furthermore our data confirm that NK cells have a protective role against tumor progression while macrophages seem to favor the development of advanced prostate cancer.
Gannon
Philippe O
PO
Research Centre of the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Notre-Dame Hospital and Institut du cancer de Montréal. 1560 Sherbrooke East, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Poisson
Alexis O
AO
Delvoye
Nathalie
N
Lapointe
Réjean
R
Mes-Masson
Anne-Marie
AM
Saad
Fred
F
D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000728:Androgens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003534:Cyproterone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005485:Flutamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000276:immunology*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D000728:Androgens; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D005485:Flutamide; D003534:Cyproterone; D016729:Leuprolide