Prognostic Value of Lymphocyte Subsets in Advanced Ovarian Cancer Treated with Chemotherapy and Cytokine-Induced Killer Cell Therapy

Zai EK, Wang Y, Ryan S, Li X and Lo S

Published on: 2024-11-22

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the clinical significance of lymphocyte subsets in patients with advanced ovarian cancer who received conventional chemotherapy combined with add-on cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cell therapy.
Materials & Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on 25 patients diagnosed with advanced-stage ovarian cancer at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, between October 2008 and April 2018. All patients underwent standard chemotherapy in conjunction with CIK cell therapy using Picibanil and Aldesleukin (recombinant IL-2). Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher's exact test.
Results: The cohort consisted of 25 patients followed for a median period of 3.9 years (IQR 2.4–9.0). Sixteen patients (65%) experienced disease relapse. Prognostic factors were analyzed by dividing the cohort into relapse and non-relapse subgroups. The non-relapse group exhibited significantly higher absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) (1,485 vs. 951 cells/μL, P = 0.0014) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) percentages (13.5% vs. 9.9%, P = 0.0226), as well as a lower neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (1.5 vs. 2.8, P = 0.0171). Additionally, the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was significantly higher in the non-relapse group (88.9% vs. 18.8%, P < 0.001).
Conclusions: Elevated ALC and lower NLR are associated with improved survival outcomes in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. The balance of lymphocyte subsets, particularly a higher CTL count without disruptions in the CD4-to-CD8 ratio, appears to play a key role in enhancing overall survival.