A Potential Biomarker of Dynamic Change in Peripheral CD45RA(-)CD27(+)CD127(+) Central Memory T Cells for Anti-PD-1 Therapy in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Simple Summary In order to develop a biomarker predicting the efficacy of chemotherapy (CT), chemoradiotherapy (CRT), and nivolumab therapy (NT) for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), we evaluated the subpopulation of T cells in ESCC patients treated with each therapy. The frequencies of PD-1(+) or TIM-3(+)CD4(+) T cells were significantly higher in patients with cStage IV. PD-1(+)CD4(+) and TIM-3(+)CD8(+) T-cell populations were significantly higher in patients treated with CRT but were not associated with treatment response. The frequencies of both CD4(+) and CD8(+) central memory T cells (T-CM) were significantly decreased during NT in the progressive disease group. Taken together, the alteration in frequency of T-CM during NT may be a biomarker to predict its therapeutic response in ESCC patients. In order to develop a biomarker predicting the efficacy of treatments for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), we evaluated the subpopulation of T cells in ESCC patients treated with chemotherapy (CT), chemoradiotherapy (CRT), and nivolumab therapy (NT). Fifty-five ESCC patients were enrolled in this study, and peripheral blood samples were collected before and after CT or CRT and during NT. Frequencies of memory, differentiated, and exhausted T cells were evaluated using flow cytometry among cStages, treatment strategies, pathological responses of CT/CRT, and during NT. The frequencies of PD-1(+) or TIM-3(+)CD4(+) T cells were significantly higher in patients with cStage IV. PD-1(+)CD4(+) and TIM-3(+)CD8(+) T-cell populations were significantly higher in patients treated with CRT but were not associated with treatment response. The frequencies of both CD4(+) and CD8(+) CD45RA(-)CD27(+)CD127(+) central memory T cells (T-CM) were significantly decreased during the course of NT in the progressive disease group. Taken together, the alteration in frequency of CD45RA(-)CD27(+)CD127(+) T-CM during NT may be a biomarker to predict its therapeutic response in ESCC patients.

Automated summary

To predict the efficacy of treatments for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), T cell subpopulations were evaluated in ESCC patients treated with chemotherapy (CT), chemoradiotherapy (CRT), and nivolumab therapy (NT). The frequencies of PD-1(+) or TIM-3(+)CD4(+) T cells were significantly higher in cStage IV patients. PD-1(+)CD4(+) and TIM-3(+)CD8(+) T-cell populations were significantly higher in patients treated with CRT but were not associated with treatment response. The frequencies of CD4(+) and CD8(+) central memory T cells (T-CM) were significantly decreased during NT, suggesting a potential biomarker for therapeutic response prediction in ESCC patients.