The Tc1/Tc2 profiles and anti-tumor immune response in advanced ovarian cancer patients undergo-ing paclitaxei and carboplatin chemotherapy

Abstract

Objective To investigate the changes of Tc1/Tc2 profiles and the cytotoxic function of CD8+ cells in ovarian cancer patients undergoing paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy, so as to identify whether there is a window period of anti-tumor immune suppression reverse after chemotherapy. Methods Blood samples from each ovarian cancer patient were obtained before (S0) and at day 5-7 (S1), day 12-14 (S2) and day 25-28 (S3) after chemotherapy in 13 patients. Thirteen age-matched healthy female volunteers were enrolled as a control group. Flow cytometry technique was employed to analyze the proportion of Tc1/Tc2. The numbers of specific IFN-γ, secreting CD8+ cells were also calculated after peripheral lymphocytes had been stimulated with self tumor lysates. Results The proportion of Tel in CD8+ cells increased re-markably on S2 while the proportion of Tc2 in CD8+ cells remained no significant changes after chemothera-py. The ratio of Tc1 to Tc2 cells reached the highest on S2. IFN-γ/secreting CD8+ T cells also increased re-markably on S2, especially when CD8+ T cells were stimulated with autologous tumor antigen. Conclusion Paclitaxel and carboplatin induce the changes of Tc1/Tc2 profile and augment anti-tumor immune response by immune reconstitution. It probably turns out that the window period during immune reconstitution offers a best opportunity for cancer immunotherapy. Key words: Ovarian cancer; Chemotherapy; Tc1/Tc2; Immune response