Tregs, lymphocytes and molecules CTLA-4 and PD-1 in patients with co-existence of COPD and lung cancer - preliminary report

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is perceived as a risk factor for lung cancer development, independently of smoking exposure. The autoimmunity in COPD pathogenesis is suspected. A role of immunosuppression in lung cancer was recognised with involvement of CD8+ cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), regulatory molecules on immune cells The aim of the study was to evaluate regulatory immune response in patients with coexistence of COPD and lung cancer and differences between adenocarcinoma(ADC) and squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) The blood cells of patients diagnosed with lung cancer and COPD were analysed by flow cytometry. The main subtypes of lymphocytes:CD4+, CD8+, Tregs and expression of CTLA-4 and PD-1 on T-cells and Tregs were determined There were patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): 44.4% with ADC, 44.4% with SCC and 11.2% with NOS. When compared patients with ADC and SCC the distribution in GOLD groups was similar, the stage of lung cancer was higher in ADC group. The proportion of CTLA-4+ Tregs, PD-1+ Tregs, and CD8+ cells was higher in ADC than in SCC group as well as expression of HLA-DR on CD4+ and CD8+ cells. Density of CTLA-4 molecules on Tregs and CD8+ was higher in ADC than SCC, but density of PD-1 was higher in SCC than in ADC There are important differences between the tested immunomodulators in patients with ADC and SCC and co-existing COPD, which may indicate greater immunosuppression in patients with ADC than SCC and with more advanced cancer. Both: PD-1 and CTLA-4 molecules are expressed in analyzed T cell subpopulations. It could be valuable biomarker for new directions of immunotherapy in this special group of patients