Th1-, Th2-, and Th17-associated cytokine expression in hypopharyngeal carcinoma and clinical significance

KCl enhances the cryoablation-induced antitumor immune response: A hepatocellular carcinoma murine model research

Cryoablation is a valuable treatment for liver cancer. To investigate the effect of KCl solution on the immunological response post cryoablation, we created a tumor-bearing mice model by subcutaneously implanting Hepal-6 cells in adult Balb/c mice. Subsequently, the mice were randomly assigned to three groups: group A (sham cryoablation), group B (cryoablation), and group C (cryoablation plus KCl solution). Mice were sacrificed on days 0, 7, and 14 post-treatment. Immune cell populations were assessed using flow cytometry. Blood samples were analyzed for serum IL-4, HSP70, and TGF-β1 levels with ELISA assays. Ablated tissues stained with immunohistochemistry were utilized to evaluate Ki67 expression at the margins of the ablation site. Our findings revealed higher HSP70 expression levels in groups B and C compared to group A. Cryoablation triggered an immune response, which was enhanced by KCl. On days 0, 7, and 14, the percentages of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and NK cells in the spleen of group C were significantly increased compared with groups A and B. Additionally, the Th1/Th2 ratio was significantly increased in group C. Serum TGF-β1 expression was elevated after cryoablation, but KCl solution reduced the high TGF-β1 expression after cryoablation and decreased the invasiveness of cancer cells. Finally, the proliferative activity of untreated tumor tissue was significantly reduced in group C compared to groups A and B. In summary, Cryoablation triggered a systemic immune response in tumor-bearing mice, which was further boosted by combining cryoablation with a KCl solution.

The expression and clinical significance of cytokines Th1, Th2, and Th17 in ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

This study was to analyze the levels of Th1, Th2 and Th17 cytokines in peripheral blood samples from ovarian cancer (OC) patients.

METHODS

Ninty-five OC patients including 45 OC and 50 benign ovarian disease (BOD) were selected at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from October 2021 to March 2022; 46 healthy participants were simultaneously selected at Taizhou Municipal Hospital as healthy controls (HC). The expressions of Th1, Th2 and Th17 were compared in all participants. Marker levels were analyzed with age, histological type, tumor size, ovarian number and clinical stage of OC.

RESULTS

The IL6 and IL8 levels were significantly higher in OC compared to BOD and HC (p < 0.00). The IL-4 expression was significantly higher in OC compared to HC (p < 0.00). The expressions of IL2, IL6 and IL10 were significantly higher in pathological stage III-IV OC compared with pathological stage I-II OC (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the levels of IL-2 and IL-10 were significantly higher in OC with bilateral ovaries than in OC with single ovary (p < 0.05). AUCs of different markers were to diagnose OC. The findings also implied that the expressions of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 were significantly different between OC and control groups (p < 0.05), while the levels of IL-2, IL-4, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-12p70, IL-1β and IL-5 between the two groups were not different (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In peripheral blood from OC patients, the immune system was more dysregulated and immune cells produced more cytokines with contrasting actions. These data showed significant clinical implications for the diagnosis of OC.

Complex Role of Regulatory T Cells (Tregs) in the Tumor Microenvironment: Their Molecular Mechanisms and Bidirectional Effects on Cancer Progression

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) possess unique immunosuppressive activity among CD4-positive T cells. Tregs are ubiquitously present in mammals and function to calm excessive immune responses, thereby suppressing allergies or autoimmune diseases. On the other hand, due to their immunosuppressive function, Tregs are thought to promote cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a multicellular system composed of many cell types, including tumor cells, infiltrating immune cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Within this environment, Tregs are recruited by chemokines and metabolic factors and impede effective anti-tumor responses. However, in some cases, their presence can also improve patient's survival rates. Their functional consequences may vary across tumor types, locations, and stages. An in-depth understanding of the precise roles and mechanisms of actions of Treg is crucial for developing effective treatments, emphasizing the need for further investigation and validation. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the complex and multifaceted roles of Tregs within the TME, elucidating cellular communications, signaling pathways, and their impacts on tumor progression and highlighting their potential anti-tumor mechanisms through interactions with functional molecules.

Elevated profiles of peripheral Th22, Th17, Th2 cells, and decreased percentage of Th1 cells in breast cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Th22 subset is a particular type of CD4+ T helper cells subset. Our study aimed to explore the expression level of circulating Th22, Th17, Th1, and Th2 cells and the possible mechanism of these cells in breast cancer (BC) with different pathological features.

METHODS

Our study enrolled 43 newly diagnosed BC patients and 30 healthy controls. Frequencies of peripheral Th22, Th17, Th1, and Th2 cells were tested by flow cytometry. Concentrations of IL-22 cytokine in plasma were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Real-time PCR was done to test aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and RAR-associated orphan receptor C (RORC) gene expression.

RESULTS

Frequencies of Th22, Th17, Th2 subsets, and the plasma IL-22 level was obviously higher in the BC patients. A positive correlation between Th22 frequency and IL-22 concentration in plasma was detected in BC patients. Furthermore, the percentage of Th22, Th2 subsets in peripheral blood of HER2 positive BC was higher than that in HER2 negative BC patients. A negative correlation between Th1 subset and Ki-67% as well as a positive correlation between Th2 subset and Ki-67% was found in BC patients. The proportion of Th1 cells in BC patients was significantly lower than that of the control group. Expression of AHR and RORC transcription factors were also observed to be upregulated in the BC patients. Furthermore, Th22 cells were positively correlated with BC tumor stage and clinical outcomes. The BC patients with a higher percentage of Th22, Th17, Th1 cells or a lower percentage of Th1 cells showed a decreased trend of survival rate.

CONCLUSION

Th22, Th17, Th1, and Th2 subsets may play an essential role in BC patients. Th22, Th17, Th1, and Th2 cells may have potential significance to be used as clinical markers in BC patients with different molecular classification. Th22 cells may have potential value in BC patients' outcomes prediction, providing clinical value.

Identification of the prognostic value of Th1/Th2 ratio and a novel prognostic signature in basal-like breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous group of diseases. The polarization of CD4+ T helper (Th) lymphocytes (mainly Th1 and Th2) may differ in breast cancers with different outcomes, but this has not been fully validated.

METHODS

This study is a bioinformatic analysis, in which differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in patients with low and high Th1/Th2 ratios. And then, DEG functions, hub genes and independent predictors were determined.

RESULTS

Low Th1/Th2 ratio was associated with poor outcome in Luminal A and basal-like breast cancer (p < 0.05). GSEA and KEGG analysis of DEGs obtained from comparing low and high Th1/Th2 ratios illuminated downregulation of immune-related gene sets and pathways affecting Th1/Th2 balance toward Th2 polarization (p < 0.05). Survival and Cox analyses of all the DEGs confirmed CCL1 and MYH6 were independent protective factors and IFNK and SOAT2 were independent risk factors for basal-like breast cancer (95%CI: 1.06-2.5, p = 0.026). Then a four-gene signature was constructed and achieved a promising prognostic value (C-index = 0.82; AUC = 0.826).

CONCLUSIONS

Low Th1/Th2 ratio predicts poor outcome in Luminal A and Basal-like breast cancer, and downregulation of immune-related gene sets and pathways contribute to Th1/Th2 balance toward Th2 polarization. CCL1, MYH6, IFNK, and SOAT2 have an independent prognostic value of survival outcome and might be novel markers in basal-like breast cancer.

Cumulative evidence for associations between genetic variants in interleukin 17 family gene and risk of human diseases

Background

Genetic association studies have elucidated the link of variants in the interleukin 17 (IL-17) family genes with susceptibility to human diseases, yet have obtained controversial outcomes. Therefore, we sought to update comprehensive synopsis of variants in the IL-17 family genes with susceptibility to human diseases.

Methods

Our study screened the Pubmed and Web of Science to enroll eligible articles and performed a meta-analysis, then graded the cumulative evidence of significant association using Venice criteria and false-positive report probability test, and finally assessed the function of variants with strong evidence.

Results

Seven variants in IL-17 family genes had significant relationships with susceptibility to 18 human diseases identified by meta-analyses. Strong evidence was assigned to 4 variants (IL-17A rs2275913, IL-17A rs8193037, IL-17F rs1889570, IL-17F rs763780) with susceptibility to 6 human diseases (lung and cervical cancer, spondyloarthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis), moderate to 2 variants with risk of 5 diseases, weak to 5 variants with risk of 10 diseases. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that the variants with strong evidence might fall in putative functional regions. Additionally, positive relationships for 5 variants with risk of 4 diseases (based on two datasets) and 14 variants with risk of 21 diseases (based on one dataset) were considered noteworthy.

Conclusions

This study offers updated and comprehensive clues that variants in the IL-17 family genes are significantly linked with susceptibility to cervical, lung cancer, asthma, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis, and elucidates the crucial role of the IL-17 regions in the genetic predisposition to cancer or noncancerous diseases.

Classification of Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Based on Immunogenomic Profiling and Validation at Single-Cell Resolution

Background: The aim of this paper was to identify an immunotherapy-sensitive subtype for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer (ER+ BC) patients by exploring the relationship between cancer genetic programs and antitumor immunity via multidimensional genome-scale analyses. Methods: Multidimensional ER+ BC high-throughput data (raw count data) including gene expression profiles, copy number variation (CNV) data, single-nucleotide polymorphism mutation data, and relevant clinical information were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas to explore an immune subtype sensitive to immunotherapy using the Consensus Cluster Plus algorithm based on multidimensional genome-scale analyses. One ArrayExpress dataset and eight Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets (GEO-meta dataset) as well as the Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium dataset were used as validation sets to confirm the findings regarding the immune profiles, mutational features, and survival outcomes of the three identified immune subtypes. Moreover, the development trajectory of ER+ BC patients from the single-cell resolution level was also explored. Results: Through comprehensive bioinformatics analysis, three immune subtypes of ER+ BC (C1, C2, and C3, designated the immune suppressive, activation, and neutral subtypes, respectively) were identified. C2 was associated with up-regulated immune cell signatures and immune checkpoint genes. Additionally, five tumor-related pathways (transforming growth factor, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, extracellular matrix, interferon-γ, and WNT signaling) tended to be more activated in C2 than in C1 and C3. Moreover, C2 was associated with a lower tumor mutation burden, a decreased neoantigen load, and fewer CNVs. Drug sensitivity analysis further showed that C2 may be more sensitive to immunosuppressive agents. Conclusion: C2 (the immune activation subtype) may be sensitive to immunotherapy, which provides new insights into effective treatment approaches for ER+ BC.

Zingerone improves the immune responses in an animal model of breast cancer

OBJECTIVES

The potent anti-tumorigenic effects were attributed to ginger and there are some reports regarding the anti-cancer and immunomodulatory properties ginger-derived components. This study aimed to investigate the effects of zingerone on some immune-related parameters in an animal model of breast cancer.

METHODS

The breast cancer was established in female BALB/c mice using a carcinogenic 4T1 cell line. At day 10 after cancer induction, tumor-bearing mice were divided into five groups and treated intraperitoneal (daily from days 11-30) with saline or zingerone (at doses 10, 20, 50 and 100 mg/kg/day). The mice were sacrificed on day 31 and the number of splenic Th1- and Treg cells, the expression of IFN-γ and TGF-β in the blood mononuclear cells, the antibody production against sheep red blood cell (SRBC) were determined using flow cytometry, real time-PCR and a standard hemagglutination assay, respectively.

RESULTS

Zingerone at doses 50 and 100 mg/kg enhanced the number of splenic Th1 cells (p<0.03 and 0.007, respectively); at doses 10, 20, 50 and 100 mg/kg reduced the number of splenic Treg cells (p<0.02, 0.01, and 0.01, respectively), at doses 50 and 100 mg/kg enhanced the expression of IFN-γ (p<0.03), at doses 50 and 100 mg/kg reduced the expression of TGF-β, at doses 50 mg/kg reduced the titer of anti-SRBC antibody (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Zingerone improve the T cell-mediated and antibody responses in a mouse model of breast cancer. The immunotherapeutic potentials of zingerone in cancers need more considerations.

Modeling of the immune response in the pathogenesis of solid tumors and its prognostic significance

BACKGROUND

Tumor initiation and subsequent progression are usually long-term processes, spread over time and conditioned by diverse aspects. Many cancers develop on the basis of chronic inflammation; however, despite dozens of years of research, little is known about the factors triggering neoplastic transformation under these conditions. Molecular characterization of both pathogenetic states, i.e., similarities and differences between chronic inflammation and cancer, is also poorly defined. The secretory activity of tumor cells may change the immunophenotype of immune cells and modify the extracellular microenvironment, which allows the bypass of host defense mechanisms and seems to have diagnostic and prognostic value. The phenomenon of immunosuppression is also present during chronic inflammation, and the development of cancer, due to its duration, predisposes patients to the promotion of chronic inflammation. The aim of our work was to discuss the above issues based on the latest scientific insights. A theoretical mechanism of cancer immunosuppression is also proposed.

CONCLUSIONS

Development of solid tumors may occur both during acute and chronic phases of inflammation. Differences in the regulation of immune responses between precancerous states and the cancers resulting from them emphasize the importance of immunosuppressive factors in oncogenesis. Cancer cells may, through their secretory activity and extracellular transport mechanisms, enhance deterioration of the immune system which, in turn, may have prognostic implications.

Immune related proteins and tumor infiltrating CD8+ lymphocytes in hypopharyngeal cancer in relation to human papillomavirus (HPV) and clinical outcome

BACKGROUND

Hypopharyngeal cancer (HPSCC) shows a poor clinical outcome, while HPSCC, caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), presents a better outcome. Here, HPCC, immune proteins, and tumor infiltrating CD8+ lymphocytes (CD8+ TILs) were evaluated in relation to HPV and outcome.

METHODS

Fresh frozen tissue from four HPV-positive HPSCC, 39 HPV-negative HPSCC, and normal samples were analyzed for protein expression by the Proseek immuno-oncology immunoassay. CD8+ TIL numbers evaluated by immunohistochemistry on 144 formalin-fixed biopsies were analyzed in relation to clinical outcome.

RESULTS

Proteins differing between HPV-positive and negative HPSCC included CD8A, PD-L1, Fas ligand, and chemokines. High CD8+ TIL numbers were correlated to improve clinical outcome in HPV-negative HPSCC.

CONCLUSIONS

High expression of immune proteins in HPV-positive HPSCC may explain the better clinical outcome. CD8+ TILs are of relevance for outcome of HPV-negative HPSCC, while tumors with high immune activity but poor patient survival suggest a role for immune therapy.

Biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation in people witha physical disability treated with a standardized extract of Nasturtium officinale: A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial

It is well established that plants from the Brassicaceae family, particularly watercress, have been associated to reduce oxidative DNA damage. Nasturtium officinale R. Br (watercress) contains glucosinolates, with anti-inflammatory action and protective effect on human health against oxidative stress. We aimed to evaluate whether the standardized extract of Nasturtium officinale (SENO) is capable of changing biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation in people with physical disabilities. 65 people enrolled this study: as a control group composed by; 15 people with no physical disability assessed once, 25 people with physical disabilities using 750 mg/kg/day of SENO, and 25 people with physical disabilities using 750 mg/kg/day of placebo-control for 5 weeks. Biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation were analyzed on day 0 and 36. The results indicated that SENO was associated with decreasing levels of lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and C-reactive protein. Furthermore, the cytokine kit demonstrated below and out of invertible range, which was impossible to detect the inflammatory process. Despite the cytokine kit was not able to detect the inflammation; these data might provide supportive evidence that SENO, have affected positively people with physical disabilities decreasing their biomarkers of oxidative stress and C-reactive protein. Further studies are required.

Co-administration of N-acetylcysteine and dexmedetomidine plays a synergistic effect on protection of LPS-induced acute lung injury via correcting Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines imbalance

Recently both N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and Dexmedetomidine (DEX) have shown emerging roles in protection of acute lung injury (ALI). However, how their protective roles work and whether they can provide synergistic effects in ALI remain unknown. Here we explored it from the hot research viewpoint of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines balance. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI was established and treated with NAC and/or DEX. Mice were divided into Sham group, ALI group, NAC group, DEX group and NAC+DEX group. Mice were sampled at 6, 12 and 24 hours after the model construction. Histopathology, wet to dry ratio and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were assessed in lung tissues. Protein concentration and cell count were assessed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines were assessed in plasma, BALF and lung homogenate. ALI-induced lung morphological damage, edema and aberrant MPO activity can be attenuated by NAC or DEX and mostly by NAC+DEX. NAC with DEX significantly reduced ALI-induced protein leakage and cell infiltration in BALF. Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines imbalance aggravated with ALI progression. NAC, DEX and especially NAC+DEX can effectively correct these unbalanced cytokines. Galectin-9 and Tim-3 were transcriptionally up-regulated in ALI. Combination of NAC with DEX obtained a maximum effect on decreasing Galectin-9/Tim-3 expression. In summary, Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines imbalance is newly found to participate in LPS-induced ALI. NAC or DEX administration can attenuate ALI by rebalancing Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines. Their protective roles can be enhanced when co-administration, because DEX may relieve the Galectin-9/Tim-3 axis-mediated immune suppression.

Roles of exosomes in liver metastases: Novel diagnosis and treatment choices

Tumors tend to metastasize to the liver. Premetastatic niche formation is a vital step in liver metastasis. Tumor-derived exosomes can influence premetastatic niche formation from three aspects: vascular leakiness and angiogenesis, recruitment of nonresident cells, and changes in local resident cells. Exosomes from other tissues, such as mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes and engineered exosomes, also have therapeutic potential, but further research on these exosomes is required. Based on the mechanism of premetastatic niche formation, we summarize the therapeutic and diagnostic potential of exosomes in inhibiting liver metastases in this review in an attempt to provide new avenues for the prevention and treatment of liver metastases.

Cryoablation inhibition of distant untreated tumors (abscopal effect) is immune mediated

Cryoablation is moderately effective against prostate cancer. Of note, the off-target or enlarged therapeutic effect after cryoablation is reported in routine clinical practice. To uncover it, we constructed a bilateral inguinal transplantation model of prostate cancer. All the mice were randomly subdivided into three groups: Group A (Control group), Group B (Surgery group), and Group C (Cryoablation group). All the procedures in three groups were conducted only for tumors in the target region (right groin). The tumors in untargeted region (left groin) received no treatment. We measured the growth of untargeted tumors and lung metastasis rate, and then explored the changes in a series of immune cells and danger signals. First, our results revealed the protective effect of cryoablation treatment against the abscopal tumor. The possible mechanism was mediated by an increase in the number of CD4⁺ T cells, CD8⁺ T cells, ratio T helper 1 (Th1)/Th2, the killing activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and NK cells. Hsp70 may be involved in the modulation of the immune response. The combination of weakened Ki67 activity and activated immune response delayed spectator tumor growth, decreased the pulmonary metastasis rate, and prolonged animal survival, with an inducible abscopal effect.

Immunological response induced by cryoablation against murine H22 hepatoma cell line in vivo

OBJECTIVES

To describe immunological consequences induced by cryoablation against H22 cells in vivo.

METHODS

Adult BALB/c mice underwent subcutaneous implantation of H22 cells. All of them were assigned into three groups randomly: group A (false surgery), group B (cryoablation) and group C (cryoablation plus Freund's adjuvant). Animals were sacrificed 1, 2 and 3 weeks after treatment. Serum IFN-γ and IL-4, Th1/Th2 in spleens and cytotoxicity were detected.

RESULTS

Compared with that of group A, (1) INF-γ of group B was higher, but IL-4 was lower; cryoablation plus Freund's adjuvant enhanced these effects. (2) Th1/Th2 rose significantly in both group B and group C. (3) Strong cytolytic activity against H22 cells of group B and group C was found on day 7, 14 and 21.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed a marked shift toward Th1 and IFN-γ expression after cryoablation, with an immuno-stimulatory effect against murine H22 hepatoma Cell.

Immunomodulatory effects of herbal formula of astragalus polysaccharide (APS) and polysaccharopeptide (PSP) in mice with lung cancer

OBJECTIVE

This study is to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of the herbal formula of astragalus polysaccharide (APS) and polysaccharopeptide (PSP) in mouse models of immunosuppression and lung cancer.

METHODS

Immune parameters were recorded for these model mice. Peripheral white blood cells (WBC) were detected with the automatic blood cell analyzer. Spleen and thymus indices, and tumor inhibition ratio were obtained. Percentage of peripheral blood CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes were detected by flow cytometry. Serum levels of Th1 (IL-2, TNF, and IFN-γ), Th2 (IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10), and Th17 (IL-17A) were detected with the BD cytometric bead array (CBA) mouseTh1/Th2/Th17 cytokine kit.

RESULTS

Compared with the NS group, the PSP and APS herbal formula significantly improved the WBC, thymus index, spleen index, CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio, TNF, IFN-γ, IL-2, andIL-17Ainimmunosuppressivemice and lung cancer mice (P<0. 05). On the contrary, IL-10 was relatively low in the PSP+APS herbal formula group (P<0. 05). Besides, the PSP+APS herbal formula group induced comparable tumor inhibiting effect with the AMD group (23.3% and 24.1%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The PSP+APS herbal formula have immunomodulatory effects and anti-tumor activity in mice with of lung cancer.

HNSCC subverts PBMCs to secrete soluble products that promote tumor cell proliferation

The immune system detects shifts from homeostasis and eliminates altered cells. However, neoplastic cells can modulate the host response to escape immunosurveillance thereby allowing tumor progression. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most immunosuppressive cancers but its role in co-opting the immune system to actively promote tumor growth has not been investigated. In this study, we investigated the influence of soluble factors secreted by HNSCC and non-neoplastic epithelial cells on proliferation, apoptosis, activation, cytokine gene expression and phenotypic polarization of immune cells of healthy donors. Then, we determined if the immunomodulation caused by HNSCC-derived soluble products leads to immunosubversion by assessing proliferation, migration and survival of tumor cells exposed to soluble products secreted by modulated immune cells or co-cultured with immune cells. Soluble products from HNSCC inhibited proliferation and cytokine expression in PBMCs, activation of T cells, and polarization of CD4+ towards the Th17 phenotype. These changes co-opted the immune cells to favor cell proliferation, survival and migration of HNSCC. This immunosubversion was observed both indirectly with secreted products and with direct cell-to-cell contact. We conclude that HNSCC-derived secreted products create an immunosuppressive environment that facilitates evasion of tumor cells and subverts the immune cells into a pro-tumoral phenotype.

Effects of microwave ablation on T-cell subsets and cytokines of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effects of microwave ablation on T-lymphocyte subsets and cytokines in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Peripheral blood was collected from 45 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated by microwave ablation before treatment, one week and one month after treatment. T cells (CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells), CD4+ CD25+ Tregs, and CD16+ CD56+ NK cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Levels of cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-12, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10) were determined by a Luminex 200 analyzer.

RESULTS

Compared with before treatment, CD3+ cells, CD4+ cells and IL-12 increased significantly at one month after the microwave ablation treatment, while IL-4, IL-10 decreased significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

Microwave ablation could relieve the suppression of immune function caused by tumors, promote the deviation of Th2/Th1, and improve immune dysfunction in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Th17 Cells in Protection from Tumor or Promotion of Tumor Progression

The roles of inflammation and inflammatory cells such as Th17 cells in the development and progression of cancer have been extensively studied. However, the results have been varied, with conflicting conclusions. Most studies have focused on changes in inflammatory phenotypes once cancers have developed and disease is progressing. Far fewer studies have looked at the immune phenotypic changes that occur during progression of premalignant lesions to cancer. The impact of inflammation and, in particular, Th17 cells on tumor biology is summarized in this review, with a focus on the differences in the outcomes of studies. Possible explanations for the contradictory conclusions are also suggested.

Treatment to sustain a Th17-type phenotype to prevent skewing toward Treg and to limit premalignant lesion progression to cancer

While immune suppression is a hallmark of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HSNCC), the immunological impact of premalignant oral lesions, which often precedes development of HNSCC, is unknown. The present study assessed the changes in splenic and draining lymph node CD4(+) cell populations and their production of select cytokines that occur in mice with carcinogen-induced premalignant oral lesions and the changes that occur as lesions progress to oral cancer. These studies found skewing toward Th1 and Th17-type phenotypes in the spleen and lymph nodes of mice with premalignant oral lesions and a shift to Treg as lesions progress to cancer. Since the role of Th17 cells in the progression from premalignant lesions to cancer is not clear, studies determined the immunological and clinical effect of treating mice bearing premalignant oral lesions with a TGF-β type 1 receptor inhibitor plus IL-23 as an approach to sustain the Th17 phenotype. These studies showed that the treatment approach not only sustained the Th17 phenotype, but also increased distal spleen cell and regional lymph node cell production of other stimulatory/inflammatory mediators and slowed premalignant lesion progression to cancer.