Abstract
BackgroundThough traditionally regarded as immunosuppressive, radiotherapy may also stimulate immune cells and facilitate an anti-tumor immune response. We therefore aimed to explore the prognostic significance of immune cell markers in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with postoperative radiotherapy (PORT). MethodsIn addition to demographic and clinicopathological information, tumor tissue samples were collected and tissue microarrays (TMAs) were constructed from 55 patients with stage I-IIIA NSCLC who received PORT. Tumor and stromal expression of CD1a+, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD20+, CD56+, CD68+, CD117+ and CD138+ cells, as well as M-CSF and CSF-1R, was assessed by immunohistochemistry. ResultsIn univariate analysis, high co-expression of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes as well as high expression of CD1a+ dendritic cells in the tumor stroma correlated with improved disease-specific survival (DSS). In multivariate analysis patients with stromal ↓CD4/↓CD8 expression had a hazard ratio of 21.1 (CI95% 3.9–115.6, P<0.001) when compared to those with ↑CD4/↑CD8 expression. ConclusionsStromal ↓CD4/↓CD8 expression was an independent negative prognostic factor for survival in NSCLC patients receiving PORT, indicating a highly detrimental prognosis.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
