Analysis of CD8+CD28- T-suppressor cells in gastric cancer patients

Host anti-tumor immune responses can be attenuated by suppressor T cells of the phenotype CD8(+)CD28(-) (T(s) cells). In the present study, we investigated the presence of CD8(+)CD28(-) (T(s) cells) in the peripheral blood compartment of gastric cancer (GC) patients. Flow cytometry was used to detect the population of CD8(+)CD28(-) T(s) cells present in peripheral blood in therapy na?ve patients with gastric cancer (n?=?26), postoperative chemotherapy na?ve gastric cancer patients (n?=?23), and healthy controls (n?=?27). Meanwhile, the clinical data of gastric cancer patients were analyzed. A significant difference in the percentage of T(s) cells was observed when comparing peripheral blood samples from cancer patients to healthy volunteers (27.08?±?1.60% versus 10.86?±?0.75%). In the patient group, the percentage of CD8(+)CD28(-) cells among lymphocytes was higher in patients with LN metastasis than those without LN metastasis. The percentage of CD8(+)CD28(-) cells was also related to tumor infiltration and size, but not with the degree of differentiation of cancer cells. Moreover, the percentage of CD8(+)CD28(-) cells was higher in preoperative gastric cancer patients (26.24?±?1.78%) than in those of postoperation patients (15.79?±?1.11%). These findings may reflect the possibility of tumor-induced immunosuppression, and they should be complemented with further studies.