Lymphocyte depletion and repopulation after chemotherapy for primary breast cancer.

Background: Approximately 30 % of breast cancer patients receive chemotherapy, yet little is known about influences of current regimens on circulating lymphocyte levels and phenotypes. Similarly, clinico-pathological factors that modify these influences, and implications for future immune health remain mainly unexplored.

Methods: We used flow-cytometry to assess circulating lymphocyte levels and phenotypes in 88 primary breast cancer patients before chemotherapy and at time-points from 2 weeks to 9 months after chemotherapy completion.

CVID patients with autoimmunity have elevated T cell expression of granzyme B and HLA-DR and reduced levels of Treg cells.

Aims: Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a primary antibody immunodeficiency with approximately 20% of patients reporting additional autoimmune symptoms. The primary aim of this study was to compare the levels of activated and regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in CVID patients in an attempt to clarify their possible interactions leading to the generation of autoimmunity.

Methods: Immunophenotyping of T cells was performed by flow cytometry using a whole blood approach.