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  • Title: [The expression of zeta-chain of the T cell receptor as prognostic marker for patients with head and neck cancer].
    Author: Müller D, Lang S, Roskrow M, Wollenberg B.
    Journal: Laryngorhinootologie; 2002 Jul; 81(7):516-20. PubMed ID: 12173063.
    Abstract:
    INTRODUCTION: The zeta-chain as an important component of the T cell receptor (TCR) is involved in the transduction of intracellular signals and is therefore critical for T cell activation and subsequent induction of an anti-tumor response. In patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) several mechanisms of immune suppression have been described. The expression of the TCR zeta-chain of both peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) has been analysed in patients with SCCHN and correlated to clinical data. METHODS: TIL and PBL from 47 patients with SCCHN were obtained. To determine expression of the zeta-chain in both PBLs and TILs, double immunostaining with mAbs and flow cytometric analysis was performed. The technique combined an intracellular staining with a surface staining. RESULTS: As compared to healthy controls (n = 23), zeta-chain expression was significantly reduced (p < 0.002) in patients with SCCHN (n = 23) with lowest expression in those with UICC VI disease. Our results show a tight correlation between the loss of zeta-chain expression and the clinical aggressiveness of the tumor. Higher tumor stages frequently show a higher loss of the zeta-chain. In 11 patients zeta-chain expression of the PBL could be compared with TIL. Independent of the tumor stage the loss of the zeta-chain expression is much higher in TIL than in PBL. The loss of the zeta-chain expression also correlates with the progression of the disease. Patients with a high loss of the zeta-chain expression develop a recurrence more frequently. CONCLUSION: The loss of the zeta-chain documents a systemic immune defect, which even occurs in early tumor stages. Additionally to locoregional approaches future therapeutic strategies should also focus on systemic immunomodulation.
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