Abstract
Purpose
This study assesses changes of circulating leukocyte subpopulations and the expression of checkpoint receptors in T cells in patients undergoing radiochemotherapy.
Materials and methods
Fifty-seven patients with either esophageal cancer or cervical cancer who received radiochemotherapy were recruited into this study. Serial blood collection was carried out before and during treatments. Leukocyte subpopulations and the level of PD-1 and CTLA-4 in T cells were determined by flow cytometry. The plasma concentrations of 34 human cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors were quantified.
Results
Significant decreases of lymphocyte count and percentage of T cells and B cells were observed during radiochemotherapy. Percentages of PD-1hi and CTLA-4hi populations in T cells increased after treatments. Proportion of activated T cells showed no significant difference. No significant changes in the plasma concentrations of the 34 humoral mediators except mild decreases of six cytokines.
Conclusion
Elevated expression of PD-1 and CTLA-4 in T cells in patients receiving radiochemotherapy, which suggests that exhaustion-like T-cell dysfunction develops during cancer cytotoxic treatments.
Disclosure statement
The authors declare no competing financial interests.
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Deguan Li
Deguan Li is a Professor at Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS). His research focuses on radiation injury and protection.
Yong Guan
Yong Guan is a Doctor at Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer.
Yinping Dong
Yinping Dong is a Research Assistant in Deguan Li's laboratory.
Jing Wu
Jing Wu and Yuanyang Zhang are the graduate students in Deguan Li's laboratory.
Yuanyang Zhang
Jing Wu and Yuanyang Zhang are the graduate students in Deguan Li's laboratory.
Renxiang Chen
Renxiang Chen received her PhD in 2004. She is a Research Associate at Georgetown University.
Yun-Tien Lin
Yun-Tien Lin was a Research Assistant in Heng-Hong Li's laboratory.
Albert J. Fornace
Albert J. Fornace, Jr. is a highly cited expert in stress signaling, molecular oncology, and radiobiology.
Heng-Hong Li
Heng-Hong Li is an Assistant Professor at Georgetown University. Her research focuses on investigation of transient and long lasting impacts of radiation on functions of immune cells.
Zhiyong Yuan
ZhiyongYuan is the Director of Department of Radiotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer. His research focuses on physical aspects of radiation oncology.