Background. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver cancer Therapeutic results are usually unsatisfactory because liver tumors recur often. Immunologic factors may be related to the recurrence of HCC; however; this possibility is mentioned only rarely. Methods. Thirty HCC patients undergoing hepatectomies were divided into 3 groups according to the diameters of their HCCs: group A (n = 8), diameter <= 3 cm; group B (n = 8), diameter >3 cm and <= 5 cm; and group C (n = 14), diameter >5 cm. T-lymphocytes from peripheral blood, nontumor liver tissue, and the HCC were analyzed. Results. The percentage of CD25(+) in the CD4(+) T cells did not differ between the peripheral blood and the nontumor liver tissue among the 3 groups. CD25(+) cells were increased in the tumor tissue in group C patients (range, 6-41%; median, 22.9%; P = .003), compared to group A patients. The percentage of CD25(+) in the CD4+ T cells in tumor tissue was positively correlated with tumor sizes (r = 0.556). These CD4(+) CD25(+) lymphocytes produced transforming growth factor-beta and interferon-gamma but not interleukin-10, and were anergic to plate-coated monoclonal antibodies (anti-CD3/anti-CD28). The characteristics of these antibodies were comparable to those of regulatory. T cells. When the infiltration lymphocytes including CD4(+) CD25(+) T cells were added to the mixed lymphocyte reaction activated by autologous tumor lysate-pulsed dendritic cells, the proliferation of lymphocytes was inhibited. Conclusion. The increase of CD4(+) CD25(+) T cells in the tumor microenvironment correlates with tumor sizes. These CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T cells appeared to suppress the immune response activated by dendritic cells. (Surgery 2012;151:213-22.)
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