Preoperative Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Tumor-infiltrating CD8<sup>+</sup> T Cells in Biliary Tract Cancer
Ryota Tanaka, Kenjiro Kimura, Shinpei Eguchi, Jun Tauchi, Masatune Shibutani, Hiroji Shinkawa, Go Ohira, Sadaaki Yamazoe, Shogo Tanaka, Ryosuke Amano, Hiroaki Tanaka, Masakazu Yashiro, Shoji Kubo, Masaichi Ohira
Abstract
Background/Aim: This study evaluated the prognostic significance of preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and CD8<sup>+</sup> tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and whether preoperative NLR was associated with CD8<sup>+</sup> TILs in biliary tract cancers (BTCs). Patients and Methods: A total of 154 patients with BTCs who underwent surgery were enrolled in this study. We obtained neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, and calculated NLR from preoperative peripheral blood samples. CD8<sup>+</sup> TILs were identified by immunohistochemical staining. Results: The overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of patients with high NLR were shorter than those with low NLR. The OS and RFS of patients with high CD8<sup>+</sup> TILs were longer than those with low CD8<sup>+</sup> TILs. Preoperative NLR and CD8<sup>+</sup> TILs were negatively correlated. Conclusion: NLR and CD8<sup>+</sup> TILs were associated with OS and RFS in BTCs. NLR can predict CD8<sup>+</sup> TILs infiltrating the cancer microenvironment.