Immunological Events and Survival in Lung Cancer Patients with COPD

Abstract

Immune microenvironment plays a role in the development of lung cancer (LC). We hypothesized that immune profile of B and T cells may differ in tumors of LC patients with and without COPD and may also influence survival. Objectives: 1) To analyze levels of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs), B and T cells in tumor and non-tumor (control samples) lung specimens of LC patients with/without COPD and 2) to analyze the influence of those biological markers in the patients´10-year survival. TLSs (numbers and area), B (CD20), and T (CD3) cells were identified in both tumor and non-tumor specimens (thoracotomy) from 90 LC-COPD patients and 43 LC-only patients (immunohistochemistry). Survival was analyzed in all 133 patients. Immune profile in tumors of LC-COPD versus LC: The number of TLSs significantly decreased in tumors of LC-COPD compared to LC patients. No significant differences were observed in tumors between LC-COPD and LC for B or T cells. In tumors compared to non-tumor specimens, a significant rise in TLSs was observed in LC (numbers and area) and LC-COPD (area), T cell counts declined in tumors of LC, while B cell counts increased in tumors of both LC and LC-COPD patients. Survival: In LC-COPD patients: lower numbers of TLSs and greater numbers of B cells were associated with worse survival. In LC patients: lower levels of T cells were associated with longer survival rates. TLSs, B cells and T cells are differentially expressed in tumors of LC-COPD from that in LC-only patients. Method: FIS 18/00075 & CIBERES (FEDER, ISC-III), SEPAR 2018, unrestricted research grant from Menarini SA 2018.