Changes in lymphocyte subgroups of non-small cell lung cancer patients during chemotherapy

Objective: Many NSCLC patients require chemotherapy,which is extremely damaging to the immune system.This study was undertaken to investigate changes in lymphocyte subgroups in patients before and during chemotherapy. Methods: NSCLC patients (32) who were undergoing their initial chemotherapy were enrolled. Lymphocyte subgroups (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+, CD3-CD16+CD56+, CD3+CD16+CD56+, CD19+, CD8+CD28-, CD8+CD28+ and DC1/DC2) were examined via flow cytometry in 9 time points. Results: Most of the subgroups were increased slightly before the second cycle of chemotherapy and began to decline during the second cycle,and during the third and fourth cycles,their lymphocyte subgroups were significantly decreased compared with pre-chemotherapy (p<0.05). CD4+,CD8+CD28+ and DC1/DC2 were associated with tumor progression In the two efficacy assessments(p<0.05). Conclusions: It is vital for clinicians to use ancillary and immuomodulatory drugs or adjust medication programs and doses to restore or enhance the body9s immune functions. CD4+,CD8+CD28+ and DC1/DC2 are proposed to serve as useful new indicators for evaluating chemotherapeutic efficacy in NSCLC patients.