Abstract:
Objective To investigate the expression of naive and memory T cells in peripheral blood of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with radiotherapy and their prognostic value.
Methods Pretreatment peripheral blood samples obtained from 40 patients with NSCLC treated via radiotherapy and 14 healthy controls were analyzed by flow cytometry for naive CD4+T cells, memory CD4+ T cells, naive CD8+ T cells, and memory CD8+ T cells. We evaluated the relationships between these cells and patient characteristics and the prognosis of patients.
Results Compared with healthy controls, patients with NSCLC showed decreased naive CD4+T cells (P=0.031) and increased memory CD4+T cells (P=0.014) and memory CD8+ T cells (P=0.005). Smokers showed lower naive CD4+T cells (P=0.063) and higher memory CD4+T cells (P=0.024) than nonsmokers. Patients with good performance status exhibited decreased naive CD8+T cells (P=0.017) and increased memory CD8+T cells (P=0.020). Univariate analysis revealed that increased naive CD4+T cells were correlated with better progression-free survival after radiotherapy (17 vs. 9 m, P=0.044), whereas elevated memory CD4+T cells may be correlated with poor progression- free survival after radiotherapy (9 vs. 15 m, P=0.069). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that naive CD4+T cells were independently associated with progression free survival after radiotherapy (P=0.009).
Conclusion Patients with NSCLC showed decreased naive T cells and increased memory T cells. Elevated naive CD4+ T cells may predict longer progression free survival after radiotherapy.