Clinical significance of regulatory B cells in peripheral blood of ovarian cancer

ObjectiveTo explore the expression frequency of regulatory B cells(Bregs) in peripheral blood of ovarian cancer patients and its relationship with FIGO staging, and analyze its correlation with regulatory T cells(Tregs) and interleukin-10(IL-10).

MethodsThe ovarian cancer(23 cases) and benign ovarian tumor patients(26 cases) were investigated.The expression frequency of CD19⁺CD24^hiCD38^hiBreg and CD4⁺CD25⁺Treg cells in peripheral blood and expression levels of serum IL-10 in all cases were detected using flow cytometry.The correlation between the two kinds of cells and FIGO staging, IL-10 concentration, and the correlation between FIGO staging and IL-10 concentration were analyzed.

ResultsThe percentages of Bregs and Tregs in peripheral blood of ovarian cancer patients were higher than those of benign ovarian tumor patients(P < 0.01), and closely related to FIGO stage.The percentages of Bregs and Tregs in peripheral blood of patients with stage Ⅲ+Ⅳovarian cancer were higher than those of patients with stageⅠ+Ⅱovarian cancer(P < 0.01).The serum levels of IL-10 in ovarian cancer patients were significantly higher than that in benign ovarian tumor patients(P < 0.01).The results of correlation analysis showed that the proportion of Bregs in peripheral blood of ovarian cancer patients was positively correlated with the proportion of Tregs(P < 0.05).The serum level of IL-10 was positively correlated with Breg and Treg cells in ovarian cancer patients(P < 0.05).

ConclusionsThe proportion of Bregs and Tregs in the peripheral blood of ovarian cancer patients is significantly increased, and they can participate in the immune response of ovarian cancer through secreting IL-10, which may provide a new target for the immunotherapy of ovarian cancer.