title: Increased regulatory T cells in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Regulation in adaptive immune response balances a fine line that prevents instigation of self-damage or fall into unresponsiveness permitting abnormal cell growth. Mechanisms that keep this balance in check include regulatory T cells (Tregs). Tregs consist of a small but heterogeneous population, which may be identified by the phenotype, CD3+CD4+CD25+CD127-. The role of Tregs in pathogenesis of cancers is thus far supported by evidence of increased Tregs in various cancers and may contribute to poorer prognosis. Tregs may also be important in acute leukaemias.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  A review of the literature on Tregs in acute leukaemias was conducted and Tregs were determined in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemias (ALLs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Studies on Tregs in B-cell ALL are few and controversial. We observed a significantly increased percentage of Tregs (mean±SD, 9.72 ± 3.79% vs. 7.05 ± 1.74%; P = 0.047) in the bone marrow/peripheral blood of ALL (n = 17) compared to peripheral blood of normal controls (n = 35). A positive trend between Tregs and age (R = 0.474, P = 0.055, n = 17) implicates this factor of poor prognosis in B-cell ALL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tregs in cancer are particularly significant in immunotherapy. The manipulation of the immune system to treat cancer has for a long time ignored regulatory mechanisms inducible or in place. In lymphoma studies, tumour-specific mechanisms that are unlike conventional methods in the induction of Tregs have been hypothesized. In addition, tumour-infiltrating Tregs may present different profiles from peripheral blood pictures. Tregs will continue to be dissected to reveal its mysteries and their impact on clinical significance.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Universiti Putra Malaysia , 43400 Serdang , Selangor , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Siti-Zuleha
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Idris
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Universiti Putra Malaysia , 43400 Serdang , Selangor , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Norfarazieda
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hassan
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Universiti Putra Malaysia , 43400 Serdang , Selangor , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Le-Jie
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Universiti Putra Malaysia , 43400 Serdang , Selangor , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Sabariah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Md Noor
authors.affiliation: b Haematology Unit, Department of Pathology , Hospital Kuala Lumpur , Jalan Pahang , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Raudhawati
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Osman
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Universiti Putra Malaysia , 43400 Serdang , Selangor , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Marsitah
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdul-Jalil
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Universiti Putra Malaysia , 43400 Serdang , Selangor , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Abdul-Jalil
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Nordin
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Universiti Putra Malaysia , 43400 Serdang , Selangor , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Maha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdullah
mesh_terms: D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008297:Male; D015452:Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy*; D015996:Survival Rate; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
keywords: Age; B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia; Regulatory T cells