[Association of T CD3+/T CD8+ lymphocytes in lymphatic and perineural infiltration in colorectal cancer]

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common and lethal neoplasia in the world. Key prognostic factors include lymphovascular and perineural infiltration, which negatively affect the disease by increasing the risk of metastasis. Studies indicate that low levels of CD8+ and CD3+ T cells may be associated with early metastasis.

To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of preoperative serum cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+ and CD3+) with lymphatic and perineural infiltration in colorectal cancer.

Prospective, cross-sectional, analytical study on cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+ and CD3+). Descriptive statistics, measures of central tendency and dispersion for quantitative variables, frequency and percentage for qualitative variables were used. The samples obtained were associated with the presence of lymphovascular or perineural infiltration.

37 patients were included, with a mean age of 58 ± 10.9 years; 24 (64.8%) were female. 16 (43.2%) were diagnosed with malignant colon neoplasms, and 21 (56.7%) with malignant rectal tumors. Lymphovascular infiltration was found in 13 (35.1%) and 18 (48.6%) perineural infiltrates. CD8+ T lymphocyte levels were 219 cells/AL ± 140.5 cells/AL, and 16 (43.2%) had low levels. CD3+ T lymphocytes averaged with 943 cells/uL ± 640.4 cells/AL, and 16 (43.2%) had low levels.

Histopathologically we found an association between the serum level of CD3+ and CD8+ T cells and lymphovascular and perineural infiltration. Additional research has to be done to strengthen the results obtained.