Published online Dec 10, 2014. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v5.i5.1078
Revised: October 10, 2014
Accepted: October 28, 2014
Published online: December 10, 2014
Processing time: 120 Days and 19.8 Hours
AIM: To evaluate the M1 and M2 monocyte phenotype in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) compared to controls. Also, to examine the expression of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in plasma of NSCLC vs controls.
METHODS: Freshly prepared peripheral blood mononuclear cells samples were obtained from patients with NSCLC (lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell lung carcinoma) and from non-cancer controls. Flow cytometry was performed to investigate M1 and M2 phenotypes in peripheral monocytes (classical monocytes CD14+, CD45+ and CD16-) using conventional surface markers. Th1 and Th2 cytokine production was also analysed in the plasma using cytometric bead array technique.
RESULTS: There were no significant difference in expression of M1 (HLA-DR) and/or M2 markers (CD163 and CD36) markers on classical monocytes in patients with NSCLC compared to non-cancer controls. Expression of CD11b, CD11c, CD71 and CD44 was also shown to be similar in patients with NSCLC compared to non-cancer controls. Th1 and Th2 cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 (p70), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, TNF-β, and interferon-γ] analysis revealed no significant difference between patients with NSCLC and non-cancer controls.
CONCLUSION: This study shows no alteration in peripheral monocyte phenotype in circulating classical monocytes in patients with NSCLC compared to non-cancer controls. No difference in Th1 and Th2 cytokine levels were noted in the plasma of these patients.
Core tip: Monocytes perform a critical role in immune system and have similar phenotype as seen in M1 (classically activated) and M2 (alternatively activated) tumour-associated macrophage. Nevertheless, monocyte phenotypes in human lung cancer patients are not fully understood and further investigation are really needed. Our study examines the M1 and M2 monocyte phenotypes in patients with non-small lung carcinoma [non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)] compared to non-cancer controls. This study indicated that freshly isolated peripheral blood monocytes from patients with NSCLC do not show an altered phenotype and/or cytokines secretion. These outcomes might enhance the knowledge regarding the connections between monocyte-macrophage phenotype and tumour progression.