Comparative analyses of regulatory T cell subsets in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a crucial role of CD25(-) FOXP3(-) T cells.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play pivotal role in cancer-induced immunoediting. Increment of CD25(high+) FOXP3+ natural Tregs has been reported in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, the involvement of other type of Tregs remain elusive. We aimed to clarify whether FOXP3- Tregs are increased and functionally suppressive or not in patients with HCC.

Comprehensive immunological analyses of colorectal cancer patients in the phase I/II study of quickly matured dendritic cell vaccine pulsed with carcinoembryonic antigen peptide.

Dendritic cell (DC) vaccine has been used to treat patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). The results of vaccine-induced clinical responses have not always been satisfactory partially because of DC incompetence. In order to evaluate the feasibility of novel mature DCs for therapeutic adjuvants against CRC, we conducted clinical trials with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) peptide-loaded DC quickly generated with a combination of OK432 (Streptococcuspyogenes preparation), prostanoid, and interferon-α (OPA-DC).

[A patient who developed diaphragmatic hernia 20 months after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma].

A 50-year-old man underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for a hepatocellular carcinoma, located in the S8 area adjacent to the diaphragm. 20 months later, he was admitted because of severe right hypochondralgia and dyspnea. Computed tomography revealed a prolapsed large intestine through a defect on the right diaphragm, and emergency surgery was performed.

Enhanced ability of regulatory T cells in chronic hepatitis C patients with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase levels than those with active hepatitis.

In hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, the Th1-type immune response is involved in liver injury. A predominance of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Treg) is hypothesized in patients with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase (PNALT). Our aim was to clarify the role of Treg in the pathogenesis of PNALT.