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Updated: Apr 5, 2026

Evaluation of Tumor-infiltrating Leukocyte Subsets in a Subcutaneous Tumor Model
Published on: April 13, 2015
Tumor-infiltrating CD8(+) T lymphocytes associated with clinical outcome in anal squamous cell carcinoma
Wan-Hsiang Hu1,2,3, Katsumi Miyai4, Luis C Cajas-Monson1
1Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego Health System, San Diego, California.
Background:
The prognostic significance of tumor-infiltrating CD8(+) T lymphocytes in anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) remains unclear. We designed the study to investigate the association between CD8(+) T cells and clinical prognosis among anal SCC patients.
Methods:
The density of CD8(+) T cells was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The numbers of CD8(+) T cells were counted and their relationship with clinicopathological factors and survival was explored.
Results:
A strong positive correlation was noted between intratumoral and peritumoral CD8(+) T cells (r = 0.77, P < 0.001). High intratumoral and peritumoral CD8(+) T cells was associated with well tumor differentiation, early-stage diagnosis, and better prognosis (P < 0.05). Better disease-free survival rates were demonstrated in patients with high CD8(+) T cell density in intratumoral nest (P = 0.01); peritumoral stroma (P = 0.004); and both in combination (P = 0.01). High peritumoral CD8(+) T cell was associated with overall survival (P = 0.025). In HIV-infected patients, high CD8(+) T cell density also had association with disease-free survival (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
High tumor-infiltrating CD8(+) T cell density showed the potential to indicate a favorable effect on prognosis and survival for anal SCC patients.

