Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

Biomarkers of the immune response in primary colorectal cancer

Hamilton, E., Machado, L., Reynolds, G. M., Taniere, P., Lee, S. P., Steven, N. and Ismail, T. (2006) Biomarkers of the immune response in primary colorectal cancer. Poster presented to: Annual Meeting of the British Society of Gastroenterology, Surgical Section in Association with the Association of Coloproctology (ACPGBI) and IBD Section Joint Symposium, Birmingham, UK, 20-23 March 2006. (Unpublished)

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Poster)
Abstract: Aim: The object of this project is to characterise lymphocytes in colorectal cancer (CRC), to identify subpopulations that reflect immune activation or suppression. Our aim is to validate the methods used so that they may be used in future early vaccine trials to assess the effect of such trials on the immune microenvironment of this disease. Methods: We recruited 34 patients undergoing surgery for CRC. Lymphocytes were harvested from blood (PBL) and tumour (TIL). Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry were used to detect subpopulations within TIL, by identifying 18 markers for T cell homing and two of immune suppression (CD25 and Foxp3). To assess function, cells were stimulated and the supernatant was tested in cytokine ELISA. Results: Using flow cytometry, the average number of CD4+CD25+ TIL was 9.98% (range 2–31) compared to 5.6% (0–27.5) for PBL (p = 0.1972). Immunohistochemical staining for Foxp3 was positive in samples obtained from 14 patients. Expression of homing markers differed between PBL and TIL, with the proportion expressing CXCR6 higher (p,0.0001)). Using flow cytometry to calibrate TIL input numbers enabled more accurate measurement of functional status. TIL released both interferon-c and IL-10, associated with positive and negative antitumour responses respectively, but at levels lower than PBL. Conclusions: We have confirmed the presence of immunosuppressive cells in CRC, however, there is not an increase in expression when compared to PBL. The percentage expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR6 is higher in TIL when compared to PBL. Subpopulations within TIL expressing particular cell surface markers may contribute differently to the immune microenvironment, and work is currently on going to isolate these cells and determine their functional properties. The methods we have developed to assess the immune response at the tumour site can be used to analyse the effect of future vaccine trials.
Additional Information: Abstract also published in Gut, Vol. 55 (Suppl 2), 2006, (abstract no.451)
Subjects: R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology > RM270 Immunotherapy. Serotherapy
R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC254 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology
Creators: Hamilton, E, Machado, Lee, Reynolds, G M, Taniere, P, Lee, S P, Steven, Neil and Ismail, Tariq
Northamptonshire and East Midlands: Health
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Health & Society > Sports, Exercise & Life Sciences
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > Institute of Health and Wellbeing > Ageing Research Centre
Faculties > Faculty of Health & Society > Sports, Exercise & Life Sciences
Research Centres > Centre for Health Sciences and Services
Research Centres > Centre for Physical Activity and Life Sciences
Date: 2006
Date Type: Presentation
Event Title: Annual Meeting of the British Society of Gastroenterology, Surgical Section in Association with the Association of Coloproctology (ACPGBI) and IBD Section Joint Symposium
Event Dates: 20-23 March 2006
Event Location: Birmingham, UK
Event Type: Conference
Language: English
Status: Unpublished
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/6860

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