Ying Cheng1, Hui Li2, Dandan Zhao2, Qihui Han2, Ying Liu2, Xianhong Liu2, Lixia Ma2, Jingjing Liu2. 1. Department of Thoracic Oncology, Jilin Provincial Cancer Hospital, Changchun 130012, China. Email:jl.cheng@163.com. 2. Department of Thoracic Oncology, Jilin Provincial Cancer Hospital, Changchun 130012, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore the presence, frequency and clinical value of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in peripheral blood of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). METHODS: Flow cytometry using antibodies against CD11b, CD33, CD14 or HLA-DR was conducted to explore the unique cell surface markers of MDSCs and statistical analysis was performed to explore the correlation of MDSCs and clinical features. RESULTS: MDSCs were present in 36 patients with SCLC and uniquely marked by CD11b and CD33-positive, but HLA-DR-negative on cell surfaces and possessed mononuclear phenotype. The levels of CD11b(+)CD33(+)HLA-DR(-)cells (MDSCs) in the SCLC patients and healthy controls were (26.87 ± 6.87)% and (11.04 ± 3.76)%, respectively, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). MDSCs level was significantly associated with clinical stage and tumor distant metastasis (P < 0.05) , but not with age, sex, smoking status and performance status. The later was the clinical stage, the higher was the MDSCs level (r = 0.665, P < 0.001). The level of MDSCs was higher in SCLC patients with distant metastasis than in those without metastasis (r = 0.489, P = 0.003). The level of MDSCs was higher before treatment than after treatment and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study demonstrate the existence of MDSCs in SCLC patients and the MDSCs level is associated with SCLC stage, metastasis and treatments. MDSCs might be a novel biomarker for early diagnosis and prognosis for SCLC patients.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the presence, frequency and clinical value of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in peripheral blood of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). METHODS: Flow cytometry using antibodies against CD11b, CD33, CD14 or HLA-DR was conducted to explore the unique cell surface markers of MDSCs and statistical analysis was performed to explore the correlation of MDSCs and clinical features. RESULTS: MDSCs were present in 36 patients with SCLC and uniquely marked by CD11b and CD33-positive, but HLA-DR-negative on cell surfaces and possessed mononuclear phenotype. The levels of CD11b(+)CD33(+)HLA-DR(-)cells (MDSCs) in the SCLCpatients and healthy controls were (26.87 ± 6.87)% and (11.04 ± 3.76)%, respectively, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). MDSCs level was significantly associated with clinical stage and tumor distant metastasis (P < 0.05) , but not with age, sex, smoking status and performance status. The later was the clinical stage, the higher was the MDSCs level (r = 0.665, P < 0.001). The level of MDSCs was higher in SCLCpatients with distant metastasis than in those without metastasis (r = 0.489, P = 0.003). The level of MDSCs was higher before treatment than after treatment and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study demonstrate the existence of MDSCs in SCLCpatients and the MDSCs level is associated with SCLC stage, metastasis and treatments. MDSCs might be a novel biomarker for early diagnosis and prognosis for SCLCpatients.