Prognostic value of CD66b positive tumor-infiltrating neutrophils in testicular germ cell tumor

Abstract

Background: Prognostic value of immune cells is not clear in testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs). We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating neutrophils in TGCTs. Methods: A total of 102 patients who underwent orchiectomy for TGCT were investigated for CD66b positive tumor-infiltrating neutrophils (CD66b+TINs). Immmunostaining for CD66b was performed in 102 sections as described. Clinicopathological parameters as well as cancer specific survival and overall survival were assessed for correlation with CD66b+TIN density. Results: High density group was significantly correlated with tumor diameter ≥10cm, presence of nodal/distant metastasis, S stage, diagnosis of nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NGCT), and presence of venous invasion (p=0.0198, p<0.0001, p=0.0275, p=0.0004, and p=0.0287, respectively). It was also significantly associated with cancer-specific and overall survival (logrank p=0.0036, and p=0.0002, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that increased CD66b+TIN was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (p=0.0095). Conclusions: Increased CD66b+TIN was significantly associated with presence of metastasis, S stage, and nonseminomatous germ cell tumor diagnosis. It was also an independent prognostic factor of overall survival in patients with TGCT.