The Role of T Lymphocytes in Cancer Patients Undergoing Immunotherapy with Autologous Dendritic Cells

Abstract

Introduction:Cancer stems from mutations in specific genes that induce uncontrolled cell proliferation. Dendritic cells (DCs) are important immunologic cells and play a crucial role in the induction of an antitumour response.Patients and methods:We examined the immune response mediated by T lymphocytes, helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells, and regulatory T cells, as well as the cytokines [interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, interferon (IFN)-γ, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-10], produced by these cell populations, in cancer patients (N = 7) undergoing immunotheraphy with autologous DCs.Results:We observed an initial increase in T helper cells (CD4+) expressing IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-12, TNF-α, and IL-10 after initiation of treatment, with statistically significant for the cytokines IL-2, TNF-α and IL-10. A similar significant effect was observed for IL-2-expressing cytotoxic T cells (CD8+). The percentage of total T cells (CD3+) remained elevated throughout immunotherapy. Regulatory T cells (CD25+/FOXP3+) only showed high percentage of their maximum value when analyzed the pretreatment levels, with statistically significant.Conclusion:Immunotherapy with DCs stimulated the immune response, as evidenced by an increase in percent fluorescence of most cell populations investigated during the specified treatment period.

Peripheral Helper Lymphocytes Produce Interleukin 12 in Cancer Patients

“…A study performed by our group contains a description of cancer patients who expressed IL-12 in CD4 + T lymphocytes 21. We did not find any similar findings in our literature review.…”

Local cytokine profiles of patients with cervical intraepithelial and invasive neoplasia

“…IL-12 represents a multifunctional cytokine that promotes a link between innate and adaptive immunity, by regulating the immune response, inducing the differentiation of CD4 + T cells into Th1 cells, and promoting the reactivation and survival of memory CD4 + T cells. IL-12 is described to be produced by antigen presenting cells (APCs), however our group has evidences that in certain situations, such as tumors, CD4+ lymphocytes could synthesize this cytokine [24]. Of course being an analysis of biopsies in this study can be analyzed IL-12 produced by both APCS and CD4+ T cells But the important thing is we found that this cytokine, as important in the development of cellular immunity, is reduced in the tumoral microenvironment according to lesion progression.…”

Monocyte-derived dendritic cells from patients with cervical intraepithelial lesions

“…Previous studies have focused on the development of immunotherapies with DCs using new differentiation and maturation protocols for the induction of an effective antitumor immune response (23,24).…”