Myeloid-derived Suppressor Cells are Increased and Correlated with Malnutrition, Inflammation and Poor Prognosis in Patients with Esophagus Cancer

Kenji Gonda, Masahiko Shibata, Leo Yamada, Hiroshi Nakano, Daisuke Ujiie, Azuma Nirei, Takeshi Tada, Hiroyuki Hanayama, Suguru Hayase, Zenichirou Saze, Sinji Ooki, Koji Kono

Dept. of Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery, Fukushima Medical University, FUKUSHIMA, Japan

Date, time and location: 2018.05.25 13:30, Congress Hall, 2F–C

Abstract

MDSCs ( Myeloid‑derived suppressor cells ) have been identified in the majority of patients and experimental mice with tumors by their suppression of T cell activation. MDSCs have also been reported to be associated with chronic inflammation. The present study examined the correlations between MDSC levels and inflammation, immune suppression, malnutrition, and poor prognosis in 19 patients with esophagus cancer. The levels of MDSCs in preoperative patients were significantly higher compared with healthy volunteers. The MDSC levels of preoperative patients were significantly positively correlated with interleukin (IL) ‑6 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and C‑reactive protein, and were negatively correlated with the production of interferon‑γ and IL‑12, serum concentration of rapid turnover protein, and the stimulation index. These patients were divided into two groups based on the levels of MDSCs. In preoperative patients with MDSC levels >1.0% of total PBMCs, the overall survival of patients with stage IV disease was significantly shorter compared with other disease stages, and was also significantly shorter compared with patients with MDSC levels <1.0% of total PBMCs. Thus, the MDSC levels of preoperative patients may function as a good prognostic indicator, particularly in patients with advanced esophagus cancer.