Comparison of anti-tumor immune parameters in patients with colorectal cancer

Objective To evaluate the significance of anti-tumor immune status in patients with colorectal cancer by comparing the number of lymphocytes and CD4+CD25+Treg cells,and the Th/Tr and CD4/CD8 value. Methods The Th/Tr and CD4/CD8 value,the number of lymphocytes and CD4+CD25+Treg cells in peripheral blood from 60 colorectal cancer patients were detected by flow cytometry and compared with those detected in 30 healthy persons. Results The number of total lymphocytes was smaller while the number of CD4+CD25+Treg cells was significantly greater in healthy donors than in colorectal cancer patients（1 478±349 vs 1 576±369 and 121±47 vs 107±64,P＜0.05）.The Th/Tr value was lower in colorectal cancer patients than in healthy donors and in those without metastasis（P＜0.01）.No significant difference was found in CD4/CD8 value between patients and healthy donors（P＞0.05）and the CD4/CD8 value was not related with metastasis. Conclusion The Th/Tr value is advantageous over the number of total lymphocytes and CD4+CD25+Treg cells and the CD4/CD8 value in evaluating the anti-tumor immune status in colorectal cancer patients.