Suppressive effects of gemcitabine plus cisplatin chemotherapy on regulatory T cells in nonsmall-cell lung cancer

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of gemcitabine plus cisplatin chemotherapy on the percentage of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ and CD8+CD28– regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the peripheral blood of patients with nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Peripheral blood was taken from patients with NCSLC (before and after chemotherapy) and control subjects with nonmalignant disease. The percentages of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ and CD8+CD28– Tregs were analysed using flow cytometry. Results Patients (n=40) had significantly higher CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ and CD8+CD28– percentages than control subjects (n=24). CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ and CD8+CD28– percentages increased with tumour progression, fell significantly after chemotherapy, but remained significantly higher than control values. Conclusions CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ and CD8+CD28– Treg percentages were higher in patients with NSCLC than control subjects, and increased in line with tumour progression. Percentages of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ and CD8+CD28– Tregs were significantly reduced following gemcitabine plus cisplatin chemotherapy.