• Lin Wang, Yingjie Zhang, and Fuqiang Xie.
• Department of Stomatology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
• Medicine (Baltimore). 2020 Dec 4; 99 (49): e23145.

BackgroundThe role of T cells in the pathogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) was clarified by examining the levels of differentiated CD4CD25FOXP3 T-regulatory cells (Treg cells) and CD4+IL17+ T helper 17 (Th17) cells in OSCC patients.MethodsFlow cytometry was conducted to measure the proportions of Treg/Th17 cells in different sample groups to identify a proper maker indicative of the progression and prognosis of OSCC.ResultsThe results showed that a higher Treg/Th17 ratio led to poorer prognosis. Also, the proportions of both Treg cells and Th17 cells were significantly elevated in OSCC patients compared with those in the control groups, suggesting a correlation between Treg/Th17 imbalance and the prognosis of OSCC. Furthermore, the ratios of Treg/Th17 cells in OSCC patients differed at different time points of cancer progression. For example, stage III-IV patients showed the most evident increase in the Treg/Th17 ratio, while the Treg/Th17 ratio in control subjects was the lowest.ConclusionsTherefore, a higher ratio of Treg/Th17 indicated the progression of OSCC and a larger tumor size. Therefore, Treg and Th17 imbalance was implicated in OSCC progression.

25 keywords...

hide…