Open AccessLong‐term prognostic significance of interleukin‐17‐producing T cells in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer
Author(s) -
Song Li,
Ma Shoubao,
Chen Longpei,
Miao Liyan,
Tao Min,
Liu Haiyan
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
cancer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1349-7006
pISSN - 1347-9032
DOI - 10.1111/cas.14068
Subject(s) - medicine , lung cancer , stage (stratigraphy) , clinical significance , oncology , peripheral blood , gastroenterology , immunology , biology , paleontology
The presence of interleukin ( IL )‐17‐producing T cells has recently been reported in non‐small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ) patients. However, the long‐term prognostic significance of these populations in NSCLC patients remains unknown. In the present study, we collected peripheral blood from 82 NSCLC patients and 22 normal healthy donors ( NC ). Percentages of IL ‐17‐producing CD 4 + T (Th17), CD 8 + T (Tc17) and γδT cells (γδT17) were measured to determine their association with clinical outcomes and overall survival ( OS ) in NSCLC . All NSCLC patients were followed up until July 2018. Median follow‐up time was 13.5 months (range 1‐87 months). The 3‐ and 5‐year survival rate was 27% and 19.6%, respectively. We found that Th17 cells and γδT17 cells were significantly increased, whereas Tc17 cells were markedly decreased in patients with NSCLC compared with those in NC . In addition, Th17 cells were significantly positively associated with T helper type 1 cells (Th1), whereas γδT17 cells were significantly negatively associated with γδT + interferon ( IFN )‐γ + cells. High percentages of peripheral Tc17 cells were significantly associated with favorable 5‐year OS ( P = .025), especially in patients with early TNM stage ( P = .016). Furthermore, high percentages of peripheral Th17 cells were positively associated with favorable 5‐year OS in patients with late TNM stage ( P = .002). However, no significant association was observed between γδT17 cells and OS , regardless of the TNM stage. In conclusion, our findings suggest that enhanced Th17 and reduced Tc17 cells in the peripheral blood could be a significant predictor of a favorable prognosis for NSCLC patients.