Different occurrence of CD8⁺, CD45R0⁺, and CD68⁺ immune cells in regional lymph node metastases from colorectal cancer as potential prognostic predictors

Abstract.

Background and aims: To study whether there are differences in the immunohistochemical staining of CD8, CD45R0, and CD68 of immune cells in regional lymph node metastases from colorectal cancer that are of potential interest in prognostic prediction. Materials and methods: Analysis of archival specimens from 93 patients operated on for colorectal cancer (based on monoclonal antibodies, the ABC technique, and semiquantitative classification). Results: There was a significant difference in survival time between patients with respect to the number of positive immune cells. The cancer-specific 5-year survival rate was 77% for patients with high numbers of CD8⁺ cells, compared to 33% for those with lower numbers. The corresponding figures for patients with CD45R0⁺ cells were 66% vs. 33%, and for patients with CD68⁺ cells 60% vs. 38%. Significant differences remained among the 74 patients without adjuvant radio-/chemotherapy regarding CD8 and CD45R0 but not CD68. Conclusion: The presence of CD8⁺, CD45R0⁺, and CD68⁺ immune cells in regional lymph node metastases may serve as predictors of patients survival in colorectal cancer Dukes' stage C.