The detection and clinical significance of peripheral regulatory CD4+CD25hiCD127low T cells in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Objective In this study, we aimed to discuss the clinical significance of CD4(+)CD25(hi)CD127(low) regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the peripheral blood of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Sixty patients with NSCLC and 35 healthy controls were studied. Peripheral blood CD4(+)CD25(hi)CD127(low)Tregs, CD4(+)CD25(hi)T cells, and CD4(+)T cells were measured with flow cytometric analysis, and results were compared between the groups. Results Compared with healthy people, CD4(+)CD25(hi)CD127(low) Tregs and CD4(+)CD25(hi) T cells significantly increased in patients with NSCLC, while CD4(+) T cell proportions decreased. Conclusions CD4(+)CD25 (hi) CD127(low) Treg detection in the peripheral blood of NSCLC patients is highly significant, in that it provides additional knowledge to guide the selection of individualized treatment plans for patients with NSCLC.