Associations between infiltrating lymphocyte subsets and hepatocellular carcinoma
Cun-Li Guo1, Hai-Chao Yang, Xiu-Hua Yang
1The Third Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China. cunliguo68@163.com
Insights
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) show altered phenotypes. Frequencies of CD8+ T cells, NK cells, NKT cells, and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in HCC tumor tissue are linked to patient survival and prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma Research
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major global health concern.
- Understanding the tumor immune microenvironment is crucial for HCC prognosis.
- Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) play a significant role in cancer immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the phenotype of TILs and non-tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (NILs) in HCC.
- To evaluate the relationship between immune cell phenotypes and HCC prognosis.
- To identify potential predictive biomarkers for HCC survival.
Main Methods:
- Lymphocytes were isolated from HCC and adjacent non-tumor tissues.
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze lymphocyte phenotypes (NK, NKT, CD8+T, Treg cells).
- Clinical parameters were analyzed for correlation with immune cell infiltration.
Main Results:
- HCC tumor tissue showed lower infiltration of NK, NKT, and CD8+T cells compared to non-tumor tissue.
- TILs exhibited higher infiltration of regulatory T cells (Tregs) than NILs.
- Higher Treg frequency correlated with fewer CD8+ T cells; metastasis was associated with lower NK/CD8+T cells and higher Tregs.
Conclusions:
- CD8+T, NK, NKT, and Treg cell frequencies in HCC tumor tissue are significantly associated with patient survival.
- These immune cell populations may serve as predictive indicators for HCC prognosis.
- Further research can leverage these findings for developing novel HCC therapeutic strategies.
Aims:
We aimed to analyze the phenotype of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and non-tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (NILs) in HCC and non-tumor tissues, and evaluate relationships between changes in these cells and the prognosis of HCC.
Methods:
Lymphocytes were isolated from HCC and corresponding non-tumor tissues and tested by flow cytometry. For comparison, clinical parameters were analyzed.
Results:
Compared with the non-tumor tissue, tumor tissue had a lower intensity of NK, NKT and CD8+T cell infiltration. TILs had higher intensity of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+regulatory T cell (Treg cells) infiltration compared with that in NILs. The prevalence of Treg cells was associated with fewer CD8 + T lymphocytes in the HCC immune microenvironment. The frequencies of NK cells and CD8+T cells in TILs of HCC patients with metastasis less than 12 months were lower than those without metastasis. However, the frequency of Treg cells was higher than those without metastasis.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that the frequencies of CD8+T, NK and NKT cells as well as Treg cells in the tumor tissue of HCC are significantly associated with patient survival, and could be applied as predictive indicators for HCC prognosis.
