Tumor-infiltrating T-Lymphocyte immunity-related immune tolerance and anti–programmed cell death protein 1/ligand of programmed cell death protein 1 therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Systemic therapy has become the standard treatment for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)whose treatment options are limited.However,the long-term patient response to drugs and the survival outcomes remain a concern.With increasing exploration of the HCC microenvironment,particularly in terms of T lymphocyte immunity,a new era of immunomolecular targeted therapy,based on molecular signaling,has arrived for advanced HCC.In the study of immune tolerance of the intrinsic HCC microenvironment,we found that multiple immunosuppressive mechanisms and immune checkpoint inhibitors,such as anti–programmed cell death protein 1/ligand of programmed cell death protein 1 therapy,have improved clinical outcomes in some patients with advanced HCC.Furthermore,various combination therapies have been investigated,and HCC types have been categorized into different types based on anti–programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1)/ligand of programmed cell death protein 1(PD-L1)treatment.In this paper,we first discuss the tumor-infiltrating T lymphocyte immunity and immune tolerance of HCC.We then clarify the basic mechanism of anti–PD-1/PD-L1 therapy and discuss the types of HCC based on anti–PD-1/PD-L1 therapy.Thereafter,we explain the relevant studies and mechanisms of combination therapy of anti–PD-1/PD-L1 with antiangiogenesis drugs or multikinase kinase inhibitors,anti–T lymphocyte–related signaling pathways in HCC,and other anti-CD8+T cell immune checkpoints.In this way,this review offers a deeper understanding of anti–PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy for advanced HCC,in order to provide better individualized treatments for patients with advanced HCC.

Association between Up-regulation of Fas Ligand Expression and Apoptosis of Tumor-infiltrating Lymphocytes in Human Breast Cancer

In order to study the significance of FasL expression in immune escape of breast cancer, FasL protein expression and the number of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes （TILs） in 40 specimens of breast cancer were detected by immunohistochemitry. The expression of FasL mRNA was measured by in situ hybridization in the consecutive tissue slices of 40 breast cancers respectively. By using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediaed dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL）, apoptotic cells were detected in 40 specimens of breast cancer. The expression of FasL was detected in all 40 specimens to varying degrees. In the consecutive tissue slices, the location of expression of FasL protein corresponded with that of FasL mRNA. In those with FasL extensive expression, the number of TILs was less （P〈0.05）, the apoptotic index （AI） of TILs was higher and the AI of tumor cells was lower （P〈0.01） than those with FasL weak expression respectively. The AI of TILs was correlated with that of tumor cells （r=-0.629, P〈0.01）. In conclusion, breast cancer cells can induce the apoptosis of TILs through the expression of FasL, which can counterattack the immune system. This may be a mechanism of immune evasion in breast cancer.

Prognostic implications of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in association with programmed cell death ligand 1 expression in remnant gastric cancer

Objective:Remnant gastric cancer(RGC)is usually associated with a worse prognosis.As they are less common and very heterogeneous tumors,new prognostic and reliable determinants are required to predict patients’clinical course for RGC.This study aimed to investigate the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes(TILs)and programmed cell death ligand 1(PD-L1)status as prognostic biomarkers in a cohort of patients with RGC to develop an immunerelated score.Methods:Patients with gastric cancer(GC)who underwent curative intent gastrectomy were retrospectively investigated.RGC resections with histological diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma were enrolled in the study.The risk score based on immune parameters was developed using binary logistic regression analysis.RGCs were divided into high-risk(HR),intermediate-risk(IR),and low-risk(LR)groups based on their immune score.The markers(CD3+,CD4+/CD8+T cells and PD-L1)were selected for their potential prognostic,therapeutic value,and evaluated by immunohistochemistry(IHC).Results:A total of 42 patients with RGC were enrolled in the study.The score based on immune parameters exhibited an accuracy of 79%[the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)=0.79,95%confidence interval(95%CI),0.63-0.94,P=0.002],and the population was divided into 3 prognostic groups:10(23.8%)patients were classified as LR,15(35.7%)as IR,and 17(40.5%)as HR groups.There were no differences in clinicopathological and surgical characteristics between the three groups.In survival analysis,HR and IR groups had worse disease-free survival and overall survival rates compared to the LR group.In the multivariate analysis,lymph node metastasis and the immune score risk groups were independent factors related to worse survival.Conclusions:A scoring system with immune-related markers was able to distinguish prognostic groups of RGC associated with survival.Accordingly,tumor-infiltrating immune lymphocytes and PD-L1 status may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker for patients with RGC.

LAG-3 expression on tumor-infiltrating T cells in soft tissue sarcoma correlates with poor survival

Objective: To elucidate the role and prognostic significance of lymphocyte activation-gene-3(LAG-3) in soft tissue sarcoma(STS).Methods: The expression of LAG-3 in patient and matched normal blood samples was analyzed by flow cytometry. The localization and prognostic values of LAG-3^+ cells in 163 STS patients were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. In addition, the expression of tumor-infiltrating CD3^+ T, CD4^+ T, and CD8^+ T cells and their role in the prognosis of STS were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The effect of LAG-3 blockade was evaluated in an immunocompetent MCA205 fibrosarcoma mouse model.Results: Peripheral CD8^+ and CD4^+ T cells from STS patients expressed higher levels of LAG-3 than those from healthy donors.LAG-3 expression in STS was significantly associated with a poor clinical outcome(P = 0.038) and was correlated with high pathological grade(P < 0.001), advanced tumor stage(P = 0.016). Additionally, LAG-3 expression was highly correlated with CD8^+ T-cell infiltration(r = 0.7034, P < 0.001). LAG-3 was expressed in murine tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and its blockade decreased tumor growth and enhanced secretion of interferon-gamma by CD8^+ and CD4^+ T cells.Conclusions: LAG-3 blockade may be a promising strategy to improve the effects of targeted therapy in STS.

Clinical significance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes for gastric cancer in the era of immunology

Immunotherapy has begun to revolutionize cancer treatment, by introducing therapies that target the host immune system instead of the tumor, therapies that possess unique adverse event profiles, and therapies that may cure certain types of cancer. The immune microenvironment of tumors is emerging as the most important means of understanding the relationship between a patient' immune system and their cancer, informing prognosis, and guiding immunotherapy, such as an antibody blockade of immune checkpoints. For some solid tumors, simple quantitation of lymphocyte infiltration would seem to have prognostic significance, suggesting that lymphocyte infiltration is not passive but may actively promote or inhibit tumor growth. For gastric cancers, several studies have provided strong evidence that immune cells contribute to determining prognosis. However, the exact role of immune cells in gastric cancer remains unclear. Therefore, this review focuses on the clinical significance of immune cells, especially tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, in gastric cancer.

The Expression of Exogenous ADA Gene in T－lymphocytes of Children with Recurrent Respiratory Tract infectious Diseases

The adenosine deaminase(ADA) activities in blood lymphocytes of 41normal children and 17 with recurrent respiratory tract infections were examined,and the T-lymphocytes of two children whose ADA activities were obviously lower than those of others were cultared in vilro. Then the exogenous human ADA gene was transfected into these cells by means of lipofectin mediated gene transfer. The results showed that the ADA activities in cultured T-lymphocytes were raised and the immunological were also improved.

IN VITRO ANTITUMOR ACTIVITY OF TUMOR-INFILTRATING LYMPHOCYTES FROM HUMAN GASTRIC CARCINOMA

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) isolated from 11 gastric carcinoma were studied. TIL could grow for a long-term in medium containing recombi-nant interleukin-2(rlL-2). The mean expansion fold achieved in 6 long-term cultures of 11 specimens was 15.1. RIL-2 expanded gastric TIL exhibited significant cytotoxicity against K562, BGC823, MCF-7 and more effective antitumor cytotoxicity against fresh autologous tumor targets and human gastric cancer cell line. Peak cytotoxicity was shown in the third or fourth week after cultures. Cryopreservation of gastric TIL didn't influence their expansion capacity and antitumor activity. Phenotypic analysis was demonstrated in this study. The results of present study indicate that TIL from human gastric carcinoma could be expanded and reach high levels of antitumor effector function in long-term cultures with rIL-2. Their function may be of clinical importance.

Cytokines Expression in Lymphocytes From Rats With Allergic Asthma Induced by Pleurotus sapidus besidiospores

Allergic asthma caused by mushroom spores (Pleurotus sapidus besidiospores) is a common health problem among mushroom-cultivating workers in China. An animal model of allergic asthma through the challenge of Pleurotus sapidus besidiospores in primed rats was developed for investigating the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of the disease. In the study a series of related cytokines and their receptors, including their activity and mRNA levels of spleen lymphocytes isolated from asthmatic rats, were measured. Determined by 3H-TdR incorporation assay and NAG microcolorimetric assay, Con A-induced spleen lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 activity in culture supernatants of spleen lymphocytes from 7-day challengedrats with allergic asthma increased significantly by 261% and 208%, respectively, as compared with those in the control. Cytokines and their receptor expression at mRNA levels were determined by RNA/cDNA hybridization, using (α-32P-dCTP radiolabeled cDNA probes for different cytokines and their receptors in vitro. The results showed that mRNA expression of IL-4, GM-CSF, IL-6, IL-2 and IL-2R, except IL-6R, in lymphocytes of 7-day-challenged asthma-suffering rats, increased significantly by 54%, 45%, 170%, 83% and 76%, respectively. In 2-day challenged-rats, mRNA levels of IL-4, IL-6 and IL-2 increased by 37%,58% and 125%, respectively, whereas mRNA leve1s of GM-CSF, IL-2R and IL-6R remained unchanged. Thus, the experimental results suggested a significant increase in TH2type cytokines in the pathogenesis of Pleurotus sapidus besidiospore-induced allergic asthma and IL-4 may play an essential role.

Clinical significance of programmed cell death-ligand expression in small bowel adenocarcinoma is determined by the tumor microenvironment

BACKGROUND Comprehensive genomic analysis has shown that small bowel adenocarcinoma(SBA)has different genomic profiles from gastric and colorectal cancers.Hence,it is essential to establish chemotherapeutic regimens based on SBA characteristics.The expression of programmed cell death-ligand 1(PD-L1)and programmed cell death-ligand 2(PD-L2)in SBA is not fully understood.Anti-PD-L1/PD-1 therapy uses tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes(TILs);therefore,the status of TILs in the tumor microenvironment(TME)may influence their efficacy.The ratio of FoxP3+to CD8+T cells has been reported to be useful in predicting the prognosis of digestive system cancers.AIM To investigate the clinicopathological significance of PD-L1/2 expression according to the status of TILs in SBA tissues.METHODS We performed immunohistochemical analysis for PD-L1,PD-L2,CD8,FoxP3,and DNA mismatch repair(MMR)proteins using formalin-fixed,paraffin-embedded tissues from 50 patients diagnosed with primary SBA.The immunoreactivities of PD-L1 and PD-L2 were determined separately in tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells throughout the tumor center and invasive margins,and finally evaluated using the combined positive score(CPS).We assessed CD8+and FoxP3+T cells in the intratumoral and tumor-surrounding stroma.Subsequently,we calculated and summed the ratio of FoxP3 to CD8+T cell counts.Immune-related cell densities were graded as low or high.Immunohistochemical results were compared with clinicopathological factors and patient prognosis.The distribution of cancer-specific survival(CSS)was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method,and the log-rank test was used to test for significant differences in CSS.A Cox proportional hazard model was also used to assess the effect of tumor variables on CSS.RESULTS PD-L1 expression was positive in 34%in tumor cells(T-PD-L1)and 54%in tumor-infiltrating immune cells(I-PDL1)of the cases examined.T-PD-L2 was positive in 34%and I-PD-L2 was positive in 42%of the cases.PD-L1 CPS≥10 and PD-L2 CPS≥10 were observed in 50%and 56%of the cases,respectively.Deficient MMR(dMMR)was 14%of the cases.T-PD-L1,I-PD-L1 and PD-L1 CPS≥10 were all significantly associated with dMMR(P=0.037,P=0.009,and P=0.005,respectively).T-PD-L1,I-PD-L1,and PD-L1 CPS≥10 were all associated with deeper depth of invasion(P=0.001,P=0.024,and P=0.002,respectively).I-PD-L2 expression and PD-L2 CPS≥10 were significantly higher in the differentiated histological type(P=0.015 and P=0.030,respectively).The I-PD-L1 and IPD-L2 levels were significantly associated with better CSS(P=0.037 and P=0.015,respectively).CD8-high was significantly associated with less lymph node metastasis(P=0.047),less distant metastasis(P=0.024),less peritoneal dissemination(P=0.034),and earlier TNM stage(P=0.047).The CD8-high group had better prognosis than the CD8-low group(P=0.018).FoxP3 expression was not associated with any clinicopathological factors or prognosis.We found that patients with PD-L2 CPS≥10 tended to have worse prognosis in the FoxP3/CD8-low group(P=0.088).CONCLUSION The clinicopathological significance of PD-L1/2 expression may differ depending on the TME status.Immune checkpoint inhibitors may improve the prognosis of SBA patients with low FoxP3/CD8 ratio and PD-L2 expression.

REARRANGEMENT AND EXPRESSION OF T CELL RECEPTOR β GENE IN HUMAN HEMOPOIETIC CELL LINES AND PRIMARY CELLS FROM ACUTE LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIAS

Using Southern blot, Northern blot and Quick blot methods, we examined the rearrangement and expression of TCR βgene in four early differentiation stage cell lines from human hemopoietic system, namely HL-60, Jurkat, Daudi and Raji cells as well as lymphocytes from 17 acute lymphocytic leukemia （ALL） patients. The results showed. Ⅰ) Rearrangement of TCR βgene was seen in Jurkat cells. A germline pattern was observed in HL-60, Daudi and Raji cells. 2) Eight of 9 patients with T-ALL had cells with rearranged TCR βgene. But two of 3 patients with B-ALL and three of 5 patients with nonT, nonB-ALL also had cells with rearranged TCR βgene. 3) A 1.3 kb full-length transcript and a 1.0 kb truncated transcript were detected in Jurkat cells by probing with 32P-TCR βcDNA. But some leukemic B cells also expressed an incompleted transcript. 4) TCR βmRNA was detected in six of 8 patients with T-ALL, four of 5 patients with nonT, nonB-ALL and one of 3 patients with B-ALL. But the level of expression was quite differ ent. The dual-rearrangement and the abnormal expression may give us a new clue for researching leukemogenesis.

Prognostic significance of tumor budding,desmoplastic reaction,and lymphocytic infiltration in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND Recent studies have shown that the tumor microenvironment significantly influences the behavior of solid tumors.In this context,Accumulated data suggests that pathological evaluation of tumor budding(TB),desmoplastic reaction(DR),and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes(TILs)may be crucial in determining tumor behavior in the gastrointestinal tract.Regarding gastric adenocarcinoma(GAC),although some results suggest that TB and TILs may be effective in determining the course of the disease,the data do not agree.Moreover,very few studies have investigated the relationship between DR and survival.At present,the associations between tumor TB,DR and TILs in GAC patients have not been determined.AIM To establish the relationships between TB,DR,and TILs in patients with GAC and to assess their influence on prognosis.METHODS Our study group comprised 130 patients diagnosed with GAC.The definition of TB was established based on the International TB Consensus Conference.The DR was categorized into three groups according to the level of tumor stroma maturation.The assessment of TILs was conducted using a semiquantitative approach,employing a cutoff value of 5%.The statistical analysis of the whole group and 100 patients with an intestinal subtype of GAC was performed using SPSS version 27.RESULTS A significant correlation between peritumoral budding(PTB)and intratumoral budding(ITB)was noted(r=0.943).Tumors with high PTBs and ITBs had a greater incidence of immature DRs and low TILs(P<0.01).PTB and ITB were associated with histological subtype,lymph node metastasis(LNM),and stage(P<0.01).ITB,PTB,LNM,DR,and stage were significant risk factors associated with poor prognosis.The multivariate Cox regression analysis identified ITB,PTB,and LNM as independent prognostic variables(P<0.05).In intestinal-type adenocarcinomas,a positive correlation between PTB and ITB was noted(r=0.972).While univariate analysis revealed that LNM,stage,PTB,ITB,and DR were strong parameters for predicting survival(P<0.05),only PTB and ITB were found to be independent prognostic factors(P<0.001).CONCLUSION TB may be a potential prognostic marker in GAC.However,further studies are needed to delineate its role in pathology reporting protocols and the predictive effects of DR and TILs.

Change of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte of associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND The role of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes(TILs)in the growth and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)has attracted widespread attention.AIM To evaluate the feasibility of associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy(ALPPS)for massive HCC by exploring the role of TIL in the tumor microenvironment.METHODS Fifteen massive HCC patients who underwent ALPPS treatment and 46 who underwent hemi-hepatectomy were selected for this study.Propensity score matching was utilized to match patients in ALPPS and hemi-hepatectomy groups(1:1).Quantitative analysis of TILs in tumor and adjacent tissues between the two groups was performed by immunofluorescence staining and further analyses with oncological characteristics.In the meantime,trends of TILs in peripheral blood RESULTS Continuous measurement of tumor volume and necrosis volume showed that the proportion of tumor necrosis volume on the seventh day after stage-I ALPPS was significantly higher than the pre-operative value(P=0.024).In the preoperative period of stage-I ALPPS,the proportion of tumor necrosis volume in the high CD8+T cell infiltration group was significantly higher than that in the low group(P=0.048).CONCLUSION TIL infiltration level maintained a dynamic balance during the preoperative period of ALPPS.Compared with right hemi-hepatectomy,the ALPPS procedure does not cause severe immunosuppression with the decrease in TIL infiltration and pathological changes in immune components of peripheral blood.Our results suggested that ALPPS is safe and feasible for treating massive HCC from the perspective of immunology.In addition,high CD8+T cell infiltration is associated with increasing tumor necrosis in the perioperative period of ALPPS.

<i>SEPT10</i>Expression in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Correlation with Clinical and Biological Prognostic Factors

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by a highly variable clinical course. Microarray studies allowed highlight genes differentially expressed in this pathology. In this study, we have evaluated the prognostic significance of SEPT10 expression in CLL patients. Results were correlated with immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable (IGHV) genes mutational status, genomic rearrangements and clinical parameters. SEPT10 mRNA levels were determined by quantitative real-time PCR in 70 newly diagnosed CLL patients consecutively referred to our Institution. A wide heterogeneity for SEPT10 expression was found. Gene upregulation was observed in 18.5% of cases. The univariate analysis showed a positive association between gen expression and platelet count (p 0.0001) and a negative correlation with hemoglobin levels (p = 0.0094). Although no significant differences were observed, mean treatment free survival was shorter in patients with high expression (31 months) with respect to those with low mRNA levels (72 months). Cases with abnormal karyotypes had increased expression compared to those with normal karyotypes and no association between gene expression and FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) risk groups and IGHV mutational status was found. Cases using IGHV3-23 gene rearrangement had low SEPT10 expression. Our results showed an association between SEPT10 expression and features of adverse outcome but without independent prognostic value. The study of SEPT10 expression may be important for a better understanding of disease heterogeneity, adding further information to those provided by established prognostic factors.

IMPAIRED AUTOLOGOUS MIXED LYMPHOCYTE REACTION CORRELATED WITH DECREASED EXPRESSION OF HLA-Ⅱ ANTIGENS ON MONOCYTES IN PATIENTS WITH MYELOID LEUKEMIA

The proliferative response of T-cells to autolo-gous non-T-cells is referred to as the autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR). Recent studies have suggested that AMLR represents a mechanism of immune regulation in vivo. We investigated AMLR in patients with acute- and chronic myeloid leukemia (AML and CML). AMLR was found to be significantly depressed (P<0.001) in AML patients (n=17, cpm=532±95) and CML patients (n=13, cpm=688±99) when compared with that of their healthy HLA-identical siblings serving as controls (n=17, cpm=4152±619 and n=13 cpm=4086±421, respectively). In order to understand the cellular basis of the defective AMLR in patients with AML end CML, we performed mitogen-treated T-cell cultures analysis of T-cell subsets and HLA-Ⅱ antigen detection on monocytes. The results indicated that the defect of AMLR in patients resided at the stimulator monocyte level rather than at the responder T-cell level. Enumeration of monocytes reactive with monoclonal antibody Tu22, which recognizes determinants of HLA-DQ, demonstrated that ML patients had a significantly decreased (P<0.091) number of circulating Tu22+ monocytes when compared with normal controls. These studies suggest that a deficiency of HLA-DQ+ monocytes contributes to the depression of AMLR in ML and possibly underlies the abnormalities of immune response present in this disease.

Predictive value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes for neoadjuvant therapy response in triple-negative breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND The association between tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte(TIL)levels and the res-ponse to neoadjuvant therapy(NAT)in patients with triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)remains unclear.AIM To investigate the predictive potential of TIL levels for the response to NAT in TNBC patients.METHODS A systematic search of the National Center for Biotechnology Information PubMed database was performed to collect relevant published literature prior to August 31,2023.The correlation between TIL levels and the NAT pathologic com-plete response(pCR)in TNBC patients was assessed using a systematic review and meta-analysis.Subgroup analysis,sensitivity analysis,and publication bias analysis were also conducted.RESULTS A total of 32 studies were included in this meta-analysis.The overall meta-ana-lysis results indicated that the pCR rate after NAT treatment in TNBC patients in the high TIL subgroup was significantly greater than that in patients in the low TIL subgroup(48.0%vs 27.7%)(risk ratio 2.01;95%confidence interval 1.77-2.29;P<0.001,I2=56%).Subgroup analysis revealed that the between-study hetero-geneity originated from differences in study design,TIL level cutoffs,and study populations.Publication bias could have existed in the included studies.The meta-analysis based on different NAT protocols revealed that all TNBC patients with high levels of TILs had a greater rate of pCR after NAT treatment in all protocols(all P≤0.01),and there was no significant between-protocol difference in the statistics among the different NAT protocols(P=0.29).Additionally,sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the overall results of the meta-analysis remained consistent when the included studies were individually excluded.CONCLUSION TILs can serve as a predictor of the response to NAT treatment in TNBC patients.TNBC patients with high levels of TILs exhibit a greater NAT pCR rate than those with low levels of TILs,and this predictive capability is con-sistent across different NAT regimens.

Expression of calreticulin is associated with infiltration of T-cells in stage ⅢB colon cancer

AIM: To investigate the correlation between expression of calreticulin and infiltration of lymphocytes in stage ⅢB colon cancer. METHODS: Sixty-eight pathologically-confirmed speci-mens were obtained from stage ⅢB (T3N1M0) colon cancer patients who underwent radical resection between January 1999 and May 2002 at the Cancer Center of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. Immuno-histochemical analysis was performed to show infiltration of lymphocytes and expression of calreticulin in colon cancer. Association between calreticulin expression, infiltration of lymphocytes, and 5-year survival rate of patients was assessed. RESULTS: The expression level of calreticulin was lower in cancer nest than in its adjacent normal epithelium since 61.8% (42/68) of the samples were stained with calreticulin in colon cancer. The expression of calreticulin in colon cancer was associated with the infi ltration of CD45RO+ cells rather than with that of CD3+ cells. In addition, the stronger expression of calreticulin and the higher infiltration of CD3+ and CD45RO+ cells in colon cancer were associated with the higher 5-year survival rate of patients. CONCLUSION: Expression of calreticulin is associated with infiltration of T-cells, which implies that a low expression level of molecular marker may represent a new mechanism underlying immune escape in colon cancer.

nm23 expression in gastric carcinoma and its relationship with lymphoproliferation

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Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in triple negative breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy

AIM To determine influence of neoadjuvant-chemotherapy(NAC) over tumor-infiltrating-lymphocytes(TIL) intriple-negative-breast-cancer(TNBC).METHODS TILs were evaluated in 98 TNBC cases who came to Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplasicas from 2005 to 2010. Immunohistochemistry staining for CD3, CD4, CD8 and FOXP3 was performed in tissue microarrays(TMA) sections. Evaluation of H/E in full-face and immunohistochemistry in TMA sections was performed in pre and post-NAC samples. STATA software was used and P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Higher TIL evaluated in full-face sections from pre-NAC tumors was associated to pathologic-complete-response(pCR)(P = 0.0251) and outcome(P = 0.0334). TIL evaluated in TMA sections showed low level of agreement with full-face sections(ICC = 0.017-0.20) and was not associated to pCR or outcome. TIL in post-NAC samples were not associated to response or outcome. PostNAC lesions with pC R had similar TIL levels than those without pCR(P = 0.6331). NAC produced a TIL decrease in full-face sections(P < 0.0001). Percentage of TIL subpopulations was correlated with their absolute counts. Higher counts of CD3, CD4, CD8 and FOXP3 in pre-NAC samples had longer disease-free-survival(DFS). Higher counts of CD3 in pre-NAC samples had longer overallsurvival. Higher ratio of CD8/CD4 counts in pre-NAC was associated with pCR. Higher ratio of CD4/FOXP3 counts in pre-NAC was associated with longer DFS. Higher counts of CD4 in post-NAC samples were associated with pCR.CONCLUSION TIL in pre-NAC full-face sections in TNBC are correlated to longer survival. TIL in full-face differ from TMA sections, absolute count and percentage analysis of TIL subpopulation closely related.

FasL Expression in Colorectal Carcinoma and Its Significance in Immune Escape of Cancer

To study the significance of FasL expression in immune escape of colorectal carcinoma, FasL protein expression and the number of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes （TILs） in 80 specimens of colorectal carcinoma were detected by immunohistochemitry. The mRNA of FasL was measured by in situ hybridization in the consecutive tissue slices of 80 colorectal carcinomas respectively. Using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediaed dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL）, apoptotic cells were detected in 80 specimens of colorectal carcinoma. The expression of FasL was detected in all 80 specimens, but it was not even in the same or among different tissues. In the consecutive tissue slices, the location of expression of FasL protein corresponded with that of FasL mRNA. In those with FasL extensive expression, the number of TILs was less than that of FasL weak expression （P〈0. 05）, and the apoptotic index （AI） of TILs was higher and that of tumor cells was lower than that of FasL with weak expression respectively （P〈0. 01）. The AI of TILs was correlated with that of tumor cells （r=-0. 631, P〈0. 01）. It was suggested that colorectal carcinoma cells can induce the apoptosis of TILs through the expression of FasL, which can counterattack the immune system. This may be one of the mechanisms of immune evasion in colorectal carcinoma.