Liver tumor infiltrating lymphocytes: comparison of hepatocellular and cholangiolar carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in primary hepatocellular and cholangiolar carcinomas of the liver.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical analysis was performed including antibodies to CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, CD56 and TIA-1 in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue of 35 liver resection specimens of hepatocellular or cholangiocellular carcinomas. Semiquantitative evaluation was performed with emphasis on the area of the tumor itself and of the tumor/liver interface.


RESULTS
All hepatocellular carcinomas showed infiltration of lymphocytes predominantly around the tumor in the tumor/liver interface consisting mainly of CD3+ CD4+ T lymphocytes [164.3/10 high power fields (HPF)] and in the tumor itself of CD8+ cells (54.9/10 HPF). Cholangiocarcinomas contained a heterogeneous amount of TIL, composed mainly of CD3+ T cells with a predominance of CD8+ cells in the tumor tissue (52.6/10 HPF) and of CD4+ cells in the interface region (223.1/10 HPF). CD56+ cells of the innate immune system were scarce. There was no significant difference between hepatocellular or cholangiolar carcinoma. No correlation with the clinicopathological data was seen.


CONCLUSIONS
Liver TIL consists of intratumoral CD8+ T cells and peritumoral CD4+ T cells independent of histogenetic origin. Different functions of lymphocytes in these regions seem possible.
Department of Pathology, Medical Center, Clemenshospital Münster, Düesbergweg 128, D-48153 Münster, Germany. email@patho-muenster.de
Hans-Udo
HU
Kasper
Uta
U
Drebber
Dirk-Ludger
DL
Stippel
Hans-Peter
HP
Dienes
Anton
A
Gillessen
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged