Circulating T-regulatory cells in neuroblastoma: a pilot prospective study

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Pediatric Oncology

Background:

• Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a crucial role in immune regulation.
• Altered Treg levels are implicated in various cancers, including neuroblastoma.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine baseline regulatory T cell (Treg) frequencies in neuroblastoma patients.
• To correlate Treg levels with patient characteristics, therapeutic response, and disease progression.
• To assess changes in Treg frequency during neoadjuvant chemotherapy and at relapse.

Main Methods:

• Flow-cytometric analysis of Treg cells (CD4+CD25+FoxP3+) was performed.
• Samples were collected from 14 de novo neuroblastoma patients at diagnosis, post-chemotherapy, and at relapse.
• Six healthy controls were included for comparison.

Main Results:

• Neuroblastoma patients exhibited significantly higher baseline Treg frequencies compared to healthy controls (9.84% vs 3.16%, P < .001).
• Higher Treg frequency was observed in patients with tumors larger than 10 cm (P = .004).
• Neoadjuvant chemotherapy led to a significant reduction in Treg frequency (3.07% vs 9.72%, P = .007).

Conclusions:

• Elevated baseline Treg levels are characteristic of neuroblastoma patients.
• Treg frequency is associated with tumor burden and is modulated by chemotherapy.
• Tregs may represent a therapeutic target or a marker for monitoring neuroblastoma response and progression.