Differences in immune-related gene expressions and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes according to chemotherapeutic response in ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma

• Published in: Journal of ovarian research Vol. 13; no. 1; p. 65
• Main Authors: Choi, Kyung Un, Kim, Ahrong, Kim, Jee Yeon, Kim, Ki Hyung, Hwang, Chungsu, Lee, So Jung, Park, Won Young, Jung, Sejin, Choi, Hye Jeong, Kim, Kyungbin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 08.06.2020; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Analysis; Carcinoma; CD38 antigen; Chemotherapeutic response; Chemotherapy; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous - genetics; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous - pathology; Development and progression; Female; Gene expression; Gene Expression - genetics; Genes; Genetic research; Humans; Immune response; Immune-related gene; Interferon regulatory factor 1; Interleukin 8; Lymphocytes; Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating - metabolism; Medical prognosis; Medical research; Middle Aged; Ovarian cancer; Ovarian Neoplasms - genetics; Ovarian Neoplasms - pathology; Patients; Polymerase chain reaction; Prognosis; Software; Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte; Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes; Working groups; United States > US; Immune-related gene; Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte; Chemotherapeutic response; Ovarian cancer
• ISSN: 1757-2215; 1757-2215
• DOI: 10.1186/s13048-020-00667-y

High-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) of the ovary is the most common subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and has an overall poor prognosis. There is increasing awareness of the importance of immune cell populations and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in various immune pathways in the tumor microenvironment. The present study evaluated immune-related gene expressions and TIL levels, as well as associated chemotherapeutic responses, to elucidate the correlation between gene expression and TIL levels in HGSC. Fresh tissue samples from 12 HGSC patients were included in this study. Depending on their response to adjuvant chemotherapy, the patients were divided into two groups: chemosensitive (CS) or chemoresistant (CR). The expression levels of 770 genes were analyzed using the nCounter® PanCancer Immune Profiling Panel of the NanoString nCounter® Analysis System. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to validate the NanoString data obtained. The TIL levels in representative sections were examined via hematoxylin and eosin staining. Gene and TIL levels were subsequently correlated with the chemotherapeutic response. Several genes were differentially expressed in the two study groups. Eleven representative genes were selected for further evaluation. Of those, 9 genes (IRF1, CXCL9, LTB, CCL5, IL-8, GZMA, PSMB9, CD38, and VCAM1) were significantly overexpressed in the CS group; whereas expressions of 2 genes (CD24 and CD164) were increased in the CR group. Results of qPCR were consistent with those of the NanoString nCounter® analysis. Stromal TIL levels were significantly associated with adjuvant chemotherapeutic response (p = 0.001). Significant differences between the CS and CR groups were observed in the expression levels of immune-related genes. Immune-related gene expressions were significantly higher in the CS group, which also had higher levels of TILs. We, therefore, suggest that, in patients with HGSC, immune-related gene expressions and TIL levels may be associated with chemotherapeutic sensitivity.