The investigation of T-cell receptor subtypes in ovarian cancer: effects on survival and prognostic factors

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate T-cell receptor (TCR) changes in ovarian carcinoma (OC). The study included 24 malignant and 23 benign adnexal masses. DNA was isolated from ovarian samples. Multiplex PCR was used to determine T-cell gene clonality. PCR products were loaded onto polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and imaged. The relationship between prognostic parameters and T-cell rearrangement was evaluated. In the study group (SG), TCRB-B positivity was higher than control group (CG) and TCRD receptor positivity was higher in CG. In SG, TCRG-B levels were higher in patients with stage I–II tumours compared to stage III. TCRG-B receptor was higher in patients with overall survival of 36 months and above. In our study, subgroups of TCRs were analysed in OC. According to our findings, significant differences in TCRB-B and TCRD subgroups may be applied to immune therapies. Understanding of TCR pathways will provide new treatment approaches in OC.

IMPACT STATEMENT

• What is already known on this subject? Ovarian cancer is the most challenging kind of gynaecologic cancer. Although the main route of spread is direct invasion and peritoneal spread in the abdominal cavity, lymphatic invasion is also very important. Recent studies put forward that immunological mechanisms play crucial role in ovarian cancer. CD3 and CD8 positive lymphocyte infiltration in ovarian tumour is related with better prognosis where, FoxP3 positive lymphocyte infiltration is a predictor of poor survival. Also, immune checkpoints and inhibitors are important topics in ovarian cancer.

• What the results of this study add? Despite all the improvements and studies regarding immune system and ovarian cancer, the role T-cell receptor (TCR) subtypes is not clear and there are very few number of studies in this area. This is one of the first studies that describe the rearrangement of TCR subtypes between normal ovarian tissue and ovarian cancer tissue.

• What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Understanding the role of TCR subtypes has a key role because studies about lymphocyte infiltration in ovarian cancer varies from region to region in the world and same type of lymphocytes has different effects in different studies. Further studies on TCR subtypes may elucidate us about the behaviour of lymphocytes. Additionally, these receptor may be targeted if their roles are better understood.

Keywords:

• T-cell receptor
• clonality
• gene rearrangement
• ovarian cancer
• adnexal mass

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was financially supported by Ege University Scientific Research Projects Coordinatorship [12-TIP-050].