Evaluation of CD4+:CD8+ Ratio in Patients With Cervical Cancer and the Levels of Inflammatory Markers

Abstract

Background/aim: Cervical cancer remains a major public health concern. The ratio of CD4+:CD8+ T-cells is used to evaluate the immune system function. This study aimed to explore the CD4+:CD8+ T-cell ratio in relation to the glycemic status, inflammatory markers, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 in patients with early diagnosed cervical cancer.

Patients and methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Blood samples were collected for flow cytometry analysis. Information regarding Papanicolaou (Pap) smears and colposcopy investigations were collected from 152 women with type 2 diabetes admitted to East Jeddah Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between January 2018 and January 2021.

Results: Patients with early cervical carcinoma and a higher CD4+:CD8+ ratio (>1.2) had a higher C-reactive protein (CRP) level than those with a lower CD4+:CD8+ ratio (Mean±SD=13.75±13.3 vs. 10.85±8.1; p-value=0.034). Patients with early cervical carcinoma, diabetes, and higher CD4+:CD8+ ratio (>1.2) had a higher blood HbA1c percent than those with a lower CD4+:CD8+ ratio.

Conclusion: A high CD4+:CD8+ T-cells ratio was associated with an increased HbA1c% and CRP levels in women with diabetes diagnosed with early cervical carcinoma, which can induce inflammation in early diagnosed patients with cervical cancer.

Keywords: C-Reactive protein; Cervical cancer; diabetic women; early cervical carcinoma.