title: CD8(high)CD57(+) T-cell population as an independent predictor of response to chemoradiation therapy in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Tangible clinical benefit is achieved in only a relatively small proportion of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients receiving current treatment strategies. Therefore, a more personalized use of current and novel treatment approaches is of critical importance. Individualized therapy relies on the identification of specific biomarkers predictive of response to a particular type of cancer treatment. Immune-related parameters emerge as powerful biomarkers among a variety of predictors of clinical response to various types of cancer treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using multicolor flow cytometry, we evaluated a predictive value of CD8(high)CD57(+) T-cell population and its immunosuppressive (FOXP3(+), NKG2A(+)) and cytotoxic (Perforin(+)) subsets in the peripheral blood of extensive-stage SCLC patients (n=82) treated with either chemotherapy-alone (n=24), or chemoradiation therapy (n=42), or receiving best supportive care (n=16).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The low level (<20%) of CD8(high)CD57(+) T cells within the peripheral blood CD8(+) T-cell population and the low level (<3%) of the immunosuppressive FOXP3-positive subset within the CD8(high)CD57(+) T-cell population were independent predictors of a better response to treatment with chemoradiation therapy, but not with chemotherapy alone or best supportive care. Importantly there was no significant survival difference between SCLC patients who were: (i) treated with chemoradiation, but had an unfavourable immune profile (≥20% of CD8(high)CD57(+) T cells and ≥3% of its FOXP3-positive subset), (ii) treated with chemotherapy alone, or (iii) received best supportive care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We show that only a combination of chemotherapy with radiation therapy offered a considerable survival benefit that was confined to a subset of extensive-stage SCLC patients with a favourable predictive immune profile in the peripheral blood.
authors: Department of Immunology, National Cancer Institute, P. Baublio Str. 3b-321, LT-08406 Vilnius, Lithuania; Department of Immunology, State Research Institute Center for Innovative Medicine, Molėtų pl. 29, LT-08409 Vilnius, Lithuania. Electronic address: ndobrovolskiene@gmail.com.
authors: Neringa T
authors: NT
authors: Dobrovolskienė
authors: Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology, Center of Oncosurgery, National Cancer Institute, Santariskiu Str. 1, LT-08660 Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors: Saulius
authors: S
authors: Cicėnas
authors: Department of Clinical Laboratories, National Cancer Institute, Santariskiu Str. 1-126, LT-08660 Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors: Nijolė
authors: N
authors: Kazlauskaitė
authors: Department of Radiology, National Cancer Institute, Santariskiu Str. 1-43, LT-08660 Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors: Edita
authors: E
authors: Mišeikytė-Kaubrienė
authors: Department of Immunology, National Cancer Institute, P. Baublio Str. 3b-321, LT-08406 Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors: Jan A
authors: JA
authors: Krasko
authors: Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology, Center of Oncosurgery, National Cancer Institute, Santariskiu Str. 1, LT-08660 Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors: Valerijus
authors: V
authors: Ostapenko
authors: Department of Immunology, National Cancer Institute, P. Baublio Str. 3b-321, LT-08406 Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors: Vita
authors: V
authors: Pašukonienė
authors: Department of Immunology, National Cancer Institute, P. Baublio Str. 3b-321, LT-08406 Vilnius, Lithuania. Electronic address: marius.strioga@nvi.lt.
authors: Marius M
authors: MM
authors: Strioga
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055752:Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: CD8(+)CD57(+) T cells; Immune profile; Predictive biomarkers; Small cell lung cancer