Effects of coexpression of B7-H4 and CD11c on prognosis of patients with gastric cancer treated by cytokine-induced killer cells

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of the expression level of costimulatory molecules B7-H4 and adhesion molecules CD11c combined with cytokine- induced killer cells(CIK)therapy on the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer. Methods Tissue specimens from 88 cases of gastric cancer were evaluated for the expression levels of B7- H4 and CD11c by immunohistochemistry.The balance of clinical data between CIK therapy combined with chemotherapy group and chemotherapy group was evaluated by using chi- square test.Median disease- free survival time and median survival time in patients with different expression levels of B7- H4, CD11c and methods of treatment were compared by using Kaplan- Meier and Log- rank test.The Cox model was used to evaluate the hazard risk(HR)of the link strength between the different expression levels of B7- H4 and CD11c combined with CIK therapy and recurrence, mortality. Results There was no significant difference in clinical data and expression levels of B7- H4 and CD11c between CIK combined with chemotherapy group and single chemotherapy group except metastasis.The median disease- free time and median survival time were significant difference between CIK combined with chemotherapy group+ CD11c high+ B7- H4 low and chemotherapy group+ CD11c low+ B7- H4 high(P<0. 01).Adjusted for sex,age, TNM stage, tumor differentiation,and tumor size, the recurrence and mortality were higher in single chemotherapy group+ CD11c low+ B7- H4 high as compared with CIK combined with chemotherapy group+ CD11c high+ B7- H4 low(59 months vs.15 months,67 months vs.22 months)with the HR value[95% confidence interval(CI)]being 5. 06(1. 64- 15. 56)and 6. 51(2. 09- 20. 29) respectively. Conclusion Patients with high expression of CD11c and low expression of B7- H4 in combination with the CIK chemotherapy may prolong disease- free survival time and survival time. Key words: Gastric cancer; B7- H4; CD11c; Cytokine induced killer cells