Association of regulatory B, T cells and cytokine production with disease stage in non-small cell lung cancer patients: prospective case control study

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The role of regulatory B cells (Bregs) cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs) has been little investigated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Therefore, we investigated the frequency of circulating Bregs, Tregs cells, and the serum cytokine profile in NSCLC and their association with disease progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective case-control study, peripheral blood from 40 patients with NSCLC and 40 healthy controls was examined, the frequency of various lymphocyte subsets including Bregs and Tregs was evaluated using flow cytometry. Serum cytokine profile including IL1β, IL6, IL-17, TNF-α, IL10, IL35 and TGF-β1 was measured using Luminex assay. RESULTS: An increased proportion of Bregs, Tregs, CD8 + T cells, and decreased CD4+/CD8 + ratio was observed in NSCLC patients compared to healthy controls. NSCLC patients with metastasis had a higher frequency of Bregs and Tregs than patients without metastasis. The frequency of Bregs and Tregs was related to the stage and histopathological status. NSCLC patients had significantly higher levels of serum cytokine profile when compared to healthy controls along with a significant association with lymph node metastasis and different TNM stages. CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral Bregs, Tregs, and serum cytokine profiles, including proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were increased among NSCLC patients and may be associated with disease progression and metastasis.