Objective: To explore the prognostic value of M2 macrophages and regulatory T cells(Tregs) in gastric carcinoma.
Methods: Clinicopathological characteristics and follow up data of 135 patients with gastric carcinoma were collected. Patients included were those who underwent D2 radical resection(R0) at Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University from February 1999 to December 2005. Tissue chips of gastric carcinoma specimen were stained using immunohistochemistry to determine the cells density and number of M2(CD163 positive) and Tregs(Foxp3 positive).
Results: The median positive cells density of M2 macrophages and Tregs in tumor tissue were 7.48/HP and 6.33/HP, respectively, higher than that in adjacent tissues(1.37/HP and 2.92/HP, P<0.001). The density of M2 macrophages was positively correlated with that of Treg cells(r=0.415, P<0.001) in tumor tissue. The median survival of patients with low expression of M2 and Tregs(n=43) was significantly longer than those with high expression of the 2 cells(n=45) (99.0 vs. 72.3 months, P<0.05).
Conclusion: Combined detection of M2 macrophages and Tregs may predict the prognosis of gastric carcinoma.