High expression of CD8+ T-lymphocytes in the peritumoral zone of renal cancer as a factor of unfavorable prognosis

Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the prognostic value of quantitative CD8+ T-lymphocyte counts in the peritumorotic zone of renal cell cancer.
 MATERIAL AND METHODS: The material of 74 patients after operative treatment for renal cell carcinoma with complete 5-year follow-up was retrospectively analyzed. Of the 74 patients, 56 were alive by the 5-year follow-up, and 18 had died of cancer. After immunohistochemical staining, CD8+ T-lymphocyte distribution density in the peritumorotic zone of carcinomas was determined in 3 representative fields of view at 400 magnification and correlated with the clinicopathological characteristics of neoplasms and overall 5-year patient survival rate.
 RESULTS: The high level of CD8+ T-lymphocyte infiltration in the peritumoral zone of carcinomas was seen in stages IIIIV of the disease (p=0.0000001), in tumors 7 cm (p=0.0000001), in Fuhrman grade IIIIV anaplasia (p=0.001), in metastases (p=0.0000001) and in the shorter total survival rate of patients (p=0.0003). High CD8+ T-lymphocyte count was also observed in men (p=0.001) and in cases of unclassified cancer.
 CONCLUSION: In the light of the need to search for new prognostic criteria in renal cancer, we conclude that a high level of peritumorous zone infiltration by CD8+ T-lymphocytes is an unfavorable prognostic factor. Assessment of peritumorous zone infiltration by CD8+ T-lymphocytes may serve as an additional prognostic factor in renal cell carcinoma.