Concurrent infiltration by CD8+ T cells and CD4+ T cells is a favourable prognostic factor in non-small-cell lung carcinoma

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between the number of tumour-infiltrating T lymphocytes and the clinicopathological features and clinical outcome in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Tissue specimens from 109 patients who underwent surgical resection for NSCLC were immunohistochemically analysed for CD4 and CD8 expression. Patients were classified into two groups according to whether their tumours exhibited a 'high' or 'low' level of CD8 þ or CD4 þ lymphocyte infiltration. Although the level of infiltration by CD8 þ T cells alone had no prognostic significance, the survival rate for patients with both 'high' CD8 þ and 'high' CD4 þ T-cell infiltration was significantly higher than that for the other groups (log-rank test, P ¼ 0.006). Multivariate analysis indicated that concomitant high CD8 þ and high CD4 þ T-cell infiltration was an independent favourable prognostic factor (P ¼ 0.0092). In conclusion, the presence of high levels of both CD8 þ T cells and CD4 þ T cells is a significant indicator of a better prognosis for patients with NSCLC, and cooperation between these cell populations may allow a significantly more potent antitumour response than either population alone.

Smoker and non-smoker lung adenocarcinoma is characterized by distinct tumor immune microenvironments

“…In stage IV NSCLC patients with chemotherapy, CD8 + T cells in cancer nest link to a favorable outcome, 19 but some other studies suggested that they could not demonstrate an influence on survival of lung adenocarcinoma patients. 20–22 A recent study using in silico analysis of tumor immunity also underpinned this conclusion, when taking patient age and stage into consideration. 23 …”

Analysis of local immunity in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and lower lip

“…The reduced number of CTLs at this site may facilitate the dissemination of neoplastic cells and the development of metastases. According to Hiraoka et al (2006), CD4+ helper T cells also play an important role in the antitumor defense by releasing cytokines such as IL-2 and IFN-γ, which are essential for the differentiation of CTLs into effectors cells and exert antitumor and antiangiogenic activity. In the present study, anti-CD4 antibody expression was detected in most specimens.…”

Primary immune surveillance: some like it hot

“…In addition to changes in tumor blood flow and oxygenation associated with hyperthermia [44], improved vascular adhesion may theoretically enhance T lymphocyte infiltration into tumor sites, as has been reported for natural killer lymphocytes [22]. T lymphocyte infiltration is critical to antitumor responses and improved patient survival [45][46][47]. Although local hyperthermia in combination with other local intratumoral therapies such as vaccination, ablation, or radiation have potential efficacy by improving lymphocyte infiltration [48][49][50], the role of WBH alone as a modifier of the tumor microenvironment has not been established in the context of improving vascular adhesion.…”