title: The activation pattern of blood leukocytes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is correlated to survival.
abstract: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is known to cause substantial immunosuppression. The present study was designed to characterize blood leukocyte activation in HNSCC and to investigate if the individual activation pattern could be related to tumor progress and survival. The leukocyte activation profile of HNSCC patients and healthy controls was assessed with flow cytometry. HNSCC patients displayed increased numbers of monocytes, neutrophils and total leukocytes as well as an enhanced neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio. In addition, patients had a higher percentage of CD69(+), CD71(+) and CD98(+) T cell subsets and NK cells, and a reduced expression of L-selectin in CD14(high)CD16(+) monocytes and neutrophils, when compared to controls. These changes could be correlated to both tumor burden and spread to lymph nodes. Among the cancer patients an increased neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, a low neutrophil and CD14(high) CD16(+) monocyte activation state and an elevated CD4/CD8 ratio were related to poor survival. In contrast, a high percentage of CD98(+) Th cells appeared to be associated with a better outcome. Taken together, the present data indicate that HNSCC causes activation of blood leukocytes and that the individual activation pattern can be linked to prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Division of ENT diseases, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Camilla Rydberg
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Millrud
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Månsson Kvarnhammar
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Uddman
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Björnsson
authors.forename: Kristian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Riesbeck
authors.forename: Lars Olaf
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Cardell
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD