Work

Higher frequency of circulating regulatory T cells is associated with poor outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: While immune dysregulation significantly influences colorectal cancer (CRC) progression, this study aimed to investigate the levels of circulating regulatory T cells (cTreg) and their subsets, follicular helper T cells (cTfh), and follicular regulatory T cells (cTfr) in patients with CRC and to evaluate their prognostic significance. METHODS: We enrolled 120 patients with CRC (January 2021 to September 2022) and 91 healthy controls (HCs). Flow cytometry was used to quantify the frequency of cTregs and their subsets (resting Tregs/activated Tregs), cTfh, and cTfr. Patients were prospectively followed up until April 2025, with overall survival (OS) as the primary endpoint. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were employed to identify significant prognostic factors for OS. Survival curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. RESULTS: After a 35-month median follow-up, 22 patients with CRC had died (18.3% mortality rate). Patients with CRC had higher cTreg (7.43% vs. 6.33%, P < 0.001), cTfh (15.8% vs. 13.8%, P < 0.001), and cTfr (2.39% vs. 2.20%, P = 0.019) than HCs. Patients with advanced-stage CRC had higher cTreg levels than those with early-stage CRC (7.68% vs. 7.10%, P = 0.006). Higher frequency of cTreg levels (≥ 8.295%, area under the curve = 0.717) was correlated with shorter OS. CONCLUSIONS: cTreg, cTfh, and cTfr levels are elevated in patients with CRC. An elevated cTreg frequency is associated with poor CRC prognosis. Assessment of cTreg levels may aid in prognostic assessment.

Source: Discover Oncology

DOI: 10.1007/s12672-026-04710-0

Authors: Yan Lu, Haoyang Guo, Taotao Guo, Longyi Zhang, Xinling Pan

Institution: Wenzhou Medical University

Language: English

Topic: T-cell and B-cell Immunology

Subfield: Immunology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,690