Tumour T-lymphocyte subset infiltration and tumour recurrence following curative resection for colorectal cancer

Aim. The relationship of tumour T-lymphocytic subset infiltration and recurrence in patients undergoing potentially curative resection for colorectal cancer has not been clearly defined. Methods. Tumour sections from patients who had undergone potentially curative resection for colorectal cancer were stained and counted for CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes. Results. Twenty-three patients developed recurrence during the follow-up period. Patients were grouped according to whether or not they developed recurrence. The groups were similar in age, sex, site of tumour, Dukes stage and the numbers of patients receiving adjuvant therapy. The total percentage volume of labelled CD4+ T-lymphocytes in the tumour was significantly lower in the patients who recurred (p<0.05). Conclusions. The results of the present pilot study suggest that a reduction in tumour T-lymphocyte infiltration, in particular CD4+ T-lymphocyte infiltration, is associated with recurrence in patients following potentially curative resection for colorectal cancer.