CD39 molecule: a negative regulator expressed on T cells in patients with lung adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Introduction The function of cytotoxic cells may be impacted by CD39 expression on CD8-positive T lymphocytes, leading to an imbalance in tumor immunity. Material and methods We analyzed the correlation between the expression of CD39 on CD8-positive T lymphocytes and clinical information in 203 patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Results The expression of CD39 on CD8-positive T lymphocytes was related to T stage, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis. Furthermore, the CD39 expression reduced the secretion of antitumor cytokines, promoted PD-1 expression and decreased CD28 expression on CD8-positive T lymphocytes. Conclusions This research demonstrated the potential value of CD39 on CD8-positive T lymphocytes as a negative regulator in cancer immunotherapy.

Keywords

• adenocarcinoma of lung
• cd39 antigen
• ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 1
• flow cytometry
• t lymphocyte subsets