Immune function in patients with medium or advanced kidney cancer before and after surgery or targeted treatment

Abstract

Objective To explore immune function of medium and advanced kidney cancer patients affected by radical nephrectomy and sunitinib. Methods During the period from July 2017 to July 2018, 50 medium or advanced kidney cancer patients admitted to department of urlogy were included. Venous blood samples were collected before, imediated after surgery and 1 moth after targeted treatment. Flow cytometry was applied to detect the proportion of total T cells, Th cells, Tc cells and Treg cells. Results There was a linear relationship between the size of tumor and proportion of Treg cells (R2=0.794). The proportion of Treg cells [(21±10)%] and Th cells [(42±5)%] was higher in tumor patients than in control group. As compared with the preoperative group, the percentage of Tc cells [(34±5)%] was increased, while that of Th cells [(30±3)%] and Treg cells [(17±7)%] decreased. After targeted treatment, the percentage of Tc cells [(23±5)%] and Treg cells [(10±7)%] was decreased, and that of Th cells [(35±6)%] increased. Although the percentages of Th cells and Treg cells were higher than control group, total T cells, Tc cells and Th/Tc values returned to normal levels. Conclusion Renal cell carcinoma and surgery have a great influence on the immune function, while targeted therapy can improve the immune function of medium or advanced kidney cancer patients. Key words: Kidney cancer; Flow cytometry; Radical nephrectomy; Targeted treatment