High levels of regulatory T cells in blood are a poor prognostic factor in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Abstract

Objectives: Host immunity likely plays a role in preventing progression of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Analysis of host immune cells may provide useful information for assessing prognosis or possibly clinical management. Methods: Peripheral blood samples from 77 patients with DLBCL and 30 healthy volunteers were analyzed using flow cytometry immunophenotyping. CBC counts, T-cell subsets, and dendritic cells (DCs) were detected, and the results were correlated with clinicopathologic characteristics. Results: Compared with healthy volunteers, patients with DLBCL had significantly higher leukocyte and monocyte counts (P