OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in the percentages and balance of CD4+T cell subsets including T helper cells (Thl, Th2, and Thl7) and T regulatory cells (Treg) in patients with ovarian cancer. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 30 patients with ovarian cancer and 20 healthy subjects for analysis of the percentages of Thl, Th2, Thl7 and Treg using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Compared with the control subjects, the patients with ovarian cancer showed significantly increased percentages of Th2, Thl7 and Treg (P<0.05) but significantly decreased percentage of Th1 in the peripheral blood of patients with ovarian cancer (P<0.05). The changes in CD4+ T cell subsets were significantly correlated with the clinical stage of the tumor (P<0.05) but not with the histological type or cell differentiation (P>0.05). The Th1/Th2 ratio was significantly decreased in ovarian cancer patients (P<0.05) with obvious Th2 polarization compared with control group. The Treg/Th17 ratio was significantly increased in ovarian cancer patients (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with in ovarian cancer have abnormal expressions of CD4+T cell subsets in the peripheral blood with Th1/Th2 and Treg/Th17 imbalance, and these findings provide evidence for clinical immunotherapy of ovarian cancer.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in the percentages and balance of CD4+T cell subsets including T helper cells (Thl, Th2, and Thl7) and T regulatory cells (Treg) in patients with ovarian cancer. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 30 patients with ovarian cancer and 20 healthy subjects for analysis of the percentages of Thl, Th2, Thl7 and Treg using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Compared with the control subjects, the patients with ovarian cancer showed significantly increased percentages of Th2, Thl7 and Treg (P<0.05) but significantly decreased percentage of Th1 in the peripheral blood of patients with ovarian cancer (P<0.05). The changes in CD4+ T cell subsets were significantly correlated with the clinical stage of the tumor (P<0.05) but not with the histological type or cell differentiation (P>0.05). The Th1/Th2 ratio was significantly decreased in ovarian cancerpatients (P<0.05) with obvious Th2 polarization compared with control group. The Treg/Th17 ratio was significantly increased in ovarian cancerpatients (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:Patients with in ovarian cancer have abnormal expressions of CD4+T cell subsets in the peripheral blood with Th1/Th2 and Treg/Th17 imbalance, and these findings provide evidence for clinical immunotherapy of ovarian cancer.