Correlation between cellular immune function and prognosis of gastric cancer

Objective: To investigate the functions of Treg cells and immune cells of the cancer tissues, para-cancerous tissues and normal tissues. Method: Tumor tissues, para-carcinoma tissue and normal tissues from 265 gastric patients were collected, and the expression of Treg cells, CD3, CD4, CD8, NK cell and DC cells (dendritic cells) were evaluated. Through statistical methods of t test, chi-square test, Cox univariate survival analysis and Multivariate survival analysis, we studied the correlation between varieties of immune cells with clinical prognosis. Result: (1) The average number Foxp3+ Treg cell and CD3, CD4, CD8, NK cell, DCs in tumor tissues and para-carcinoma tissues was higher than that of normal tissues (P<0.05), but there was no difference in the number of immune cells between tumor tissues and para-carcinoma tissues (P>0.05). (2) The regional lymph node metastasis was significantly different between high and low infiltration groups (P<0.05). (3) The recurrence, metastasis of tumor and survival condition between high and low infiltration groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). (4) Cox univariate survival analysis and multivariate survival analysis indicated the content and infiltrating of Foxp3+ Treg cells is an independent factor for the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer. Conclusion: The number of immune cells in tumor tissue and para-carcinoma tissues were significantly more than those in normal tissues. Foxp3+ Treg cell infiltration in tumor tissue may indicate the survival prognosis of gastric cancer patients and will benefit for cancer immunotherapy against tumors.