Dynamic changes in immune cell profile in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: immunomodulatory effects of chemotherapy

Abstract

Tumor cells have evolved sophisticated means of escape from the host immune system. To date, several important immunological phenomena have been demonstrated in peripheral blood as well as within tumors. In the present study, we firstly investigated the proportion and activation status of peripheral immune regulatory cells and CD8⁺ T cell subsets in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) using a multicolor flow cytometer, and then evaluated how TPF (docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil) therapy modulated the immune cell profile in peripheral blood. The proportion of naïve T cells was lower and that of effector memory T cells (T_EM) cells was higher in HNSCC patients than in healthy donors. Moreover, the proportions of activated T_EM and effector T cells (T_EFF) were dramatically increased in patients with advanced stage disease. The proportion of regulatory T cells and CD14⁺ HLA-DR^- myeloid-derived suppressor cells was elevated in HNSCC patients. Of note, after TPF therapy, besides the transient reduction in immune regulatory cells, decreases in central memory T cells (T_CM) and increases in T_EFF cells were observed among CD8⁺ T-cell subsets, suggesting differentiation from T_CM cells into T_EFF cells. Our results suggested that despite the immunosuppressive status in HNSCC patients, tumor-specific immune responses mediated by CD8⁺ T cells might be induced and maintained. Moreover, chemotherapy can trigger not only a transient reduction in immune regulatory cells but also further activation of CD8⁺ T cells.

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