Distribution of CD8 T Cells and NK Cells in the Stroma in Relation to Recurrence or Metastasis of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the expression and distribution of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) and their relationship with recurrence and metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods The gene expression profiles of NPC were downloaded from GEO database (GSE53819 and GSE64634). The abundance of TIICs in NPC samples was calculated by the CIBERSORT algorithm, and TIICs with higher expression were screened in NPC. Then, we performed immunohistochemistry experiments to evaluate the expression of selected TIICs in 94 NPC samples from the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University. We further explored the relationship between TIICs and recurrence and metastasis of NPC. Results The results based on the GEO database showed that the expression of CD8 T cells, NK cells, macrophages and plasma cells was higher than that in normal tissues. Immunohistochemistry results showed that CD8 T cells, NK cells, macrophages and plasma cells were mainly expressed in the stroma, and the expression of CD8 T cells and NK cells in the stroma of patients without recurrence or metastasis was significantly higher than that in patients with recurrence or metastasis of NPC. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that patients with high CD8 T cells and high NK cells expression in the stroma had favorable recurrence or metastasis-free survival and overall survival (P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses indicated that CD8 T cells and NK cells in the stroma were independent factors for the recurrence or metastasis of NPC. Conclusion The expression of CD8 T cells, NK cells, macrophages and plasma cells is significantly higher than that in normal tissues. Among them, the expression of CD8 T cells and NK cells is closely related to the recurrence and metastasis of NPC. They are independent factors affecting the recurrence and metastasis of NPC.

The Role of Natural Killer Cells in the Tumor Immune Microenvironment of EBV-Associated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

“…NK cell expansion acts as the first responder in acute EBV infection, including in the acute phase of symptomatic EBV-associated infectious mononucleosis (IM) [45]. Several studies have indicated that NK cells not only contribute to the innate immune response against viral infection but also serve as a significant component in anti-cancer immune elimination [46,47]. High NK cell percentage in the TIME is associated with a better prognosis in EBV + NPC [48,49].…”