Abstract
Targeting immune cells or factors are effective for patients with solid tumors. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are known to have immunosuppressive functions, and the levels of MDSCs in patients with solid tumor are assumed to have prognostic values. This meta-analysis aimed at evaluating the relationship between MDSCs and the prognosis of patients with solid tumors. We searched articles in PUBMED and EMBASE comprehensively, updated to March 2016. Eight studies with 442 patients were included in the meta-analysis. We analyzed pooled hazard ratios (HRs) for overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and progression-free survival (PFS). The results showed that MDSCs were associated with poor OS (HR, 1.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.42–2.66; P < 0.0001) in patients with solid tumors. PFS/RFS (HR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.16–2.97; P = 0.01) also indicated the association between MDSCs and prognosis. The HRs and 95% CIs for OS in Asian and non-Asian patients were 2.53 (95% CI 1.61–3.42, p < 0.00001) and 1.67 (95% CI 1.14–2.46, p < 0.0001), respectively. We further analyzed the data according to tumor types. The combined HRs and 95% CIs for OS were 1.26 (95% CI 1.10–1.44, p = 0.0003) for gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, 2.59 (95% CI 1.69–3.98, p < 0.0001) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 1.86 (95% CI 1.26–2.75, p = 0.002) for other tumor types. In conclusion, MDSCs had a fine prognostic value for OS and PFS/RFS in patients with solid tumors. MDSCs could be used as biomarkers to evaluate prognosis in clinical practice.
Highlights
The incidences of various solid tumors such as gastrointestinal (GI) cancer and breast cancer (BC) are increasing every year [1] and solid tumors are regarded as one of the most frequent causes of death worldwide [2,3,4,5,6]
The results showed that Myeloidderived suppressor cells (MDSCs) were associated with poor overall survival (OS) (HR, 1.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.42–2.66; P < 0.0001) in patients with solid tumors
MDSCs could be used as biomarkers to evaluate prognosis in clinical practice
Summary
The incidences of various solid tumors such as gastrointestinal (GI) cancer and breast cancer (BC) are increasing every year [1] and solid tumors are regarded as one of the most frequent causes of death worldwide [2,3,4,5,6]. Current therapies for different solid tumors include surgical resection, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy [1, 7, 8]. Targeted immunotherapy such as cancer vaccines and monoclonal antibodies has been demonstrated to improve anti-tumor immune responses and may be beneficial for patients with different types. MDSCs, as immunosuppressive cell subjects, have been reported to play a critical role in mediating immune suppression by inhibiting both the innate and adaptive immunity [18,19,20] and preventing anticancer immunity function of cancer vaccines [13, 14, 21]. Targeting MDSCs which potentially stimulate anti-tumor immune system [24] may improve the effects of anti-cancer therapies [17, 25]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
