Changes in the immune cell population and cell proliferation in peripheral blood after gemcitabine-based chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer

• Autores: Y. Homma, K. Taniguchi, M. Nakazawa, R. Matsuyama, R. Mori, K. Takeda, Y. Ichikawa, K. Tanaka, I. Endo
• Localización: Clinical & translational oncology, ISSN 1699-048X, Vol. 16, Nº. 3, 2014, págs. 330-335
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Purpose Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a role in the immunosuppressive state in pancreatic cancer patients. We aimed to evaluate the changes of immune cells population including Tregs caused by gemcitabine (GEM)-based chemotherapy.

    Methods Fifty-three patients with pancreatic cancer were enrolled in this study, of which 32 received GEM- based chemotherapy. Blood samples were collected before and at least 2 weeks after the last dose of chemotherapy. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were subjected to flow cytometry analysis after labeling with anti-CD4, anti-CD25, and anti-Foxp3 antibodies. Other lymphocytes and NK cell markers were also measured. The proliferative capacity of PBMCs stimulated with anti-CD3 was analyzed using H3 thymidine.

    Results The percentage and number of Tregs were significantly decreased after chemotherapy (p = 0.032, p = 0.003, respectively). The other immune cells and the proliferative capacity did not change.

    Conclusion This study showed that GEM-based chemotherapy produced an immunomodulatory effect via the depletion of Tregs.