Absolute lymphocyte count is associated with survival in ovarian cancer independent of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes

Journal of Translational Medicine

Brad H Nelson²  Martin Köbel⁴  Blaise Clarke¹  C Blake Gilks⁵  Steve E Kalloger⁵  Kristy Dillon⁷  Winnie Sun⁷  John R Webb⁶  Cheryl Alexander³  Katy Milne⁷ 

[1] Department of Pathology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada;Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada;BC Cancer Agency, Victoria, BC, Canada;Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary Laboratory Services, Calgary, AB, Canada;Genetic Pathology Evaluation Centre of the Prostate Research Centre, Department of Pathology, Vancouver General Hospital, and Gynecology Tumour Group, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada;Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada;Trev and Joyce Deeley Research Centre, BC Cancer Agency, Victoria, BC, Canada

关键词: Tumor immunology;    Prognosis;    Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes;    Ovarian cancer;   

Others  :  1206048
DOI  :  10.1186/1479-5876-10-33

 received in 2011-10-21, accepted in 2012-02-27,  发布年份 2012

【 摘 要 】

Background

The immune system strongly influences outcome in patients with ovarian cancer. In particular, the absolute lymphocyte count in peripheral blood (ALC) and the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) have each been associated with favourable prognosis. However, the mechanistic relationships between ALC, TIL and prognosis are poorly understood. We hypothesized that high ALC values might be associated with stronger tumor immunity as manifested by increased TIL, decreased tumor burden and longer survival.

Methods

ALC values were collected from patient records ≥ 2 years before, during or after primary treatment for high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC). Lymphocyte subsets were assessed in peripheral blood by flow cytometry. CD8+ and CD20+ TIL were assessed by immunohistochemistry.

Results

Overall, patients had normal ALC values two or more years prior to diagnosis of HGSC. These values were not predictive of disease severity or survival upon subsequent development of HGSC. Rather, ALC declined upon development of HGSC in proportion to disease burden. This decline involved all lymphocyte subsets. ALC increased following surgery, remained stable during chemotherapy, but rarely recovered to pre-diagnostic levels. ALC values recorded at diagnosis did not correlate with CD8+ or CD20+ TIL but were associated with progression-free survival.

Conclusions

Patients with high intrinsic ALC values show no clinical or survival advantage upon subsequent development of HGSC. ALC values at diagnosis are prognostic due to an association with disease burden rather than TIL. Therapeutic enhancement of ALC may be necessary but not sufficient to improve survival in HGSC.

【 授权许可】

   
2012 Milne et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

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