The dynamic changes in the numbers and functions of CD8~+T cells and NK cells in advanced ovarian cancer patients undergoing first line chemotherapy / 中国免疫学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the dynamic changes in the numbers and functions of CD8~+T cells and NK cells in patients with advanced ovarian cancer undergoing first line chemotherapy,so as to identify whether there was a "window period" of anti-tumor immune suppression reverse after chemotherapy.Methods: Peripheral blood samples from each ovarian cancer patient were obtained before (S_0) and at day 5-7 (S_1),day 12-14 (S_2) and day 25-28 (S_3) after Chemotherapy in 13 patients.The numbers and proportions of CD3~+,CD4~+,CD8~+ and nature killer (NK) cells were analyzed by flow cytometry technique.The percentages of specific IFN-γ-secreting CD8~+ cells were also calculated after that peripheral lymphocytes had been stimulated with self tumor lysates.Cytotoxicity of NK cells against K562 cells was detected by LDH releasing assay.Results: The numbers of CD3~+,CD4~+,CD8~+T cells and NK cells reduced to the lowest on S1.Compared to those of the control group,and the percentages of IFN-γ-secreting CD8~+T cells were remarkably higher on S_1,S_2 and S_3 when CD8~+T cells were stimulated with autologous tumor antigen,and the percentage of CD8~+IFN-γ~+ cell reached the highest on S2.No significant differences of NK cell cytotoxicity against K562 cells were found on S_1,S_2 and S_3 compared to S0.Conclusion: Paclitaxel and carboplatin induce lymphopenia,which triggers the temporary immune reconstitution.During immune reconstitution the enhanced priming of CD8~+T cell response by autologons tumor antigen is found while the function of NK cells does not change significantly.It probably turns out that the" window period"during immune reconstitution offers a best opportunity for cancer immunotherapy.