Resident Memory T Cell in Metastatic Lymph Nodes Is Associated With Favorable Prognosis in Gastric Cancer Patients

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Oncology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Resident memory T cells (TRMs) infiltration in tumors is a known favorable prognostic factor.
• The role of TRMs in lymph nodes (LNs) for gastric cancer (GC) prognosis remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prognostic impact of TRMs infiltration within LNs of gastric cancer patients.
• To analyze the association between CD103+ T cell levels in LNs and patient survival outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Immunohistochemical staining to classify 151 GC patients with LN metastasis (station No. 3) into CD103hi and CD103lo groups.
• Flow cytometry to examine the phenotype of CD8+ CD103+ T cells in metastatic LNs.
• Survival analysis (overall survival and recurrence-free survival) was performed.

Main Results:

• Metastasis to LN station No. 3 was associated with a poor prognosis.
• A significant correlation was found between CD8+ CD103+ T cells in the primary tumor and metastatic LNs.
• The CD103hi group showed significantly favorable 5-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) (p=0.001).
• Among patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, CD103hi patients had significantly better OS and RFS (p<0.001).
• Higher PD-1 expression on CD8+ CD103+ T cells in metastatic LNs correlated with better OS in the CD103hi group.

Conclusions:

• TRMs infiltration into LNs is a critical prognostic factor in gastric cancer.
• High CD103+ T cell infiltration in LNs signifies a favorable prognosis for GC patients.
• PD-1 expression on TRMs may play a role in predicting survival outcomes in GC.