Abstract:
Objectives To investigate T-lymphocyte subset changes in renal transplant recipients with malignant tumors of the urinary system, and evaluate the clinical significance of T-lymphocyte subset analysis for regulating immunosuppressive agents and preventing malignant tumors.
Methods Nine renal transplant recipients with malignant tumors in the urinary system were assigned as the tumor group. Nine renal transplant recipients with normal renal function and no tumor or infection were assigned as the transplant group. Nine healthy adults were assigned as the control group. The T-lymphocyte subsets (CD3+T, CD3+CD8+T, CD3+CD4+T, and CD3+/CD8+) of all patients were measured by flow cytometry. The dosage of immunosuppresive agents in the tumor group decreased after surgical resection of the malignant tumor. The drug concentration of CsA and FK506 were detected before and two months after surgery.
Results The CD3+ and CD3+ CD8+ T-lymphoeytes in the tumor group were similar to those in the other two groups. The CD3+CD4+ T-lymphocytes and CD4+/CD8+ ratio were significantly lower in the tumor group than in the other two groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant change in CD3+ and CD3+CD4+ T-lymphocytes in the tumor group before and two months after surgery. However, the CD3+CD8+ T-lymphocytes in the tumor group were significantly lower before surgery than two months after. In contrast, the CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the tumor group were significantly higher before surgery than two months after (P < 0.05). The drug concentrations of CsA and FK506 in the tumor group were significantly lower two months after surgery than before (P < 0.05).
Conclusion T-lymphocyte subset analysis can be used as an effective marker for evaluating the immune status after renal transplantation. This analysis has important clinical significance in regulating immunosuppressive agents as well as preventing over-immunosuppression and tumor occurrence.