Hepatobiliary malignancies have distinct peripheral myeloid-derived suppressor cell signatures and tumor myeloid cell profiles

Sci Rep. 2020 Nov 2;10(1):18848. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-75881-1.

Abstract

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are immunosuppressive cells that are increased in patients with numerous malignancies including viral-derived hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we report an elevation of MDSCs in the peripheral blood of patients with other hepatobiliary malignancies including non-viral HCC, neuroendocrine tumors (NET), and colorectal carcinoma with liver metastases (CRLM), but not cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). The investigation of myeloid cell infiltration in HCC, NET and intrahepatic CCA tumors further established that the frequency of antigen-presenting cells was limited compared to benign lesions, suggesting that primary and metastatic hepatobiliary cancers have distinct peripheral and tumoral myeloid signatures. Bioinformatics analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset demonstrated that a high MDSC score in HCC patients is associated with poor disease outcome. Given our observation that MDSCs are increased in non-CCA malignant liver cancers, these cells may represent suitable targets for effective immunotherapy approaches.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / immunology
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / pathology
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / immunology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / immunology*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / immunology
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / pathology
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / classification
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / immunology
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myeloid Cells / immunology*
  • Myeloid Cells / pathology
  • Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells / immunology*
  • Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells / pathology
  • Tumor Microenvironment / immunology

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor