The Prognostic Value of Tumor-infiltrating Lymphocytes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT: Previous clinical studies have found that the levels of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) significantly correlated with prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, these conclusions and data remain controversial. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the prognostic value and clinical utilization of TILs in patients with HCC. A total of 23 relevant studies of 3173 patients were included into our meta-analysis. The results demonstrated that high levels of CD8 ⁺ and CD3 ⁺ TILs had a better prognostic value on overall survival (OS), with HRs of 0.71 (P?=?0.04) and 0.63 (P?=?0.03), respectively, compared to low levels, as did high levels of CD8 ⁺ , CD3 ⁺ and CD4 ⁺ TILs on disease/recurrence-free survival (DFS/RFS), with HRs of 0.66 (P?=?0.01), 0.60 (P?=?0.01) and 0.79 (P?=?0.04), respectively. In contrast, high levels of FoxP3 ⁺ TILs had a worse prognostic value on OS and DFS/RFS, with HRs of 2.06 (P?+/CD4⁺ and FoxP3⁺/CD8⁺ ratios negatively correlated with OS and DFS/RFS. These findings suggest that TILs may serve as a prognostic biomarker in HCC. However, further research should be performed to clarify the clinical value of TILs in HCC.

SUBMITTER: Yao W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5548736 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature