Abstract

BackgroundParaneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) may coexist with ovarian or lung cancers. Some tumors coexisting with PNS are smaller and have a better prognosis than tumors without PNS. PNS may constitute an opportunity to observe a natural immune antitumor response. We aimed to investigate a cytotoxic immune response by measuring granzyme B (GrB) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in patients affected with ovarian or lung malignancy, with and without accompanying PNS.MethodsWe enrolled patients with: nonmalignant lesions (n = 21), ovarian cancer (n = 19), lung cancer (n = 57), and PNS (n = 30). PBMC were isolated by density gradient centrifugation with Ficoll–Paque. We evaluated the expression of GrB in PBMC lysates by ELISA and normalized to protein content as measured by the Lowry method.ResultsGrB levels in PBMC in the group with malignant tumors—median 1650 pg/mg protein (interquartile range 663–3260 pg/mg) and in patients with PNS—median 1890 pg/mg protein (range 1290–2640 pg/mg) was lower than in control group with nonmalignant lesions—median 5240 pg/mg protein (range 2160–7440 pg/mg), p = 0.0003 and p = 0.0038, respectively. The differences in GrB levels in PBMC between these groups were independent of epidemiological factors—age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and the number of immune cells, as confirmed by multiple regression analysis. Within the group of patients with malignancy and PNS, GrB levels in PBMC were elevated if onconeural antibodies were detected (2610; 2390–3700 pg/mg protein) as compared to patients without antibodies (1680; 970–1880 pg/mg protein, p = 0.035). GrB in PBMC was higher if the malignancy was diagnosed at the low (3060; 2120–5220 pg/mg protein) as compared to the high stage (1330; 348–2140, p = 0.00048). In patients with lung cancer, the expression of GrB in PBMC was lower (1430; 635–2660 pg/mg protein) than in the group with ovarian cancer (2580; 1730–3730, p = 0.02).ConclusionThe cytotoxic response measured in peripheral blood by GrB in PBMC is impaired both in the course of malignancy and PNS. Levels of GrB in PBMC were higher if onconeural antibodies were detected. Tracking reactive immune responses, such as GrB in PBMC may have diagnostic and monitoring value in malignancy and PNS.

Highlights

  • An antitumor immune response plays a crucial role in defense against cancer

  • Our study aimed to investigate the expression of granzyme B (GrB) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), including cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells in patients with ovarian or lung cancer as well as with Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS)

  • We have shown decreased GrB-PBMC in patients with malignant ovarian and lung tumors compared to patients with nonmalignant lesions (Figs. 1b and 2a)

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Summary

Introduction

An antitumor immune response plays a crucial role in defense against cancer. In particular, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and natural killer (NK) cells exert an antitumor effect by the elimination of cancer cells. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) found in malignant ovarian tumors have been associated with better survival and lower recurrence rate [1,2,3]. CTLs and NK cells induce cancer cell apoptosis by, among other mechanisms, releasing granules with granzyme B This protein contributes both to the perforation of a target cell membranes and induction of apoptosis. We aimed to investigate a cytotoxic immune response by measuring granzyme B (GrB) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in patients affected with ovarian or lung malignancy, with and without accompanying PNS. Methods We enrolled patients with: nonmalignant lesions (n = 21), ovarian cancer (n = 19), lung cancer (n = 57), and PNS (n = 30). In patients with lung cancer, the expression of GrB in PBMC was lower (1430; 635–2660 pg/mg protein) than in the group with ovarian cancer (2580; 1730–3730, p = 0.02). Tracking reactive immune responses, such as GrB in PBMC may have diagnostic and monitoring value in malignancy and PNS

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