CELL INTELLIGENCE · 肿瘤细胞治疗研究

AIM: Gamma-delta-T cells (γδT) have potential antitumor roles and have recently been applied in adoptive immunotherapy. In the present study, we focused on the proportion of γδT cells in the peripheral blood just before surgery for renal cell cancer (RCC) and investigated whether their proportion affected recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) retrospectively. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 137 patients with localized, non-metastatic RCC who received surgery at our institutes were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into 2 groups: normal and low γδT cell groups based on the proportion of peripheral blood γδT cells. Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to access the association of the proportion of peripheral blood γδT cells to RFS and OS. Cox regression were also constructed to access the risks to prognosis. Uni- and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to access associations between risk factors and, RFS and OS. RESULTS: Among 137 patients, 40 had a proportion of γδT cells in peripheral blood of less than 1%, which was below the normal range. The remaining 97 patients had these cells in peripheral blood at 1% or higher. In the groups with low γδT cells, 13 patients had recurrences, and 9 patients dies during the observation period. In the groups with normal γδT cells, 16 patients had recurrences, and 8 patients died. The normal γδT cell group demonstrated significantly better prognosis in terms of RFS and OS. Multivariate analysis revealed that a low hemoglobin level, a low proportion of γδT cells, and a high pathological T stage (pT) were statistically independent risk factors for RFS. Age, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), % γδT cells, and pT were statistically significant factors affecting OS and only pT was an independent risk factor by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: A low proportion of γδT cells was identified as one of the risk factors for RFS. Our findings will provide clues to develop strategies for early intervention in preventing recurrence even after complete resection of RCC and, such as adoptive immunotherapy using autologous γδT cells in patients with a low proportion of γδT cells.