Increased prevalence of TH17 cells in the peripheral blood of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

ObjectiveThis study was performed to determine whether TH17 cells are involved in the development and metastasis of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs).Study designTH17 cells frequencies in 67 HNSCC patients and 21 healthy volunteers were examined by flow cytometric analysis. TH17 cell–related cytokines in serum (interleukin (IL) 17, transforming growth factor (TGF) β, and IL-6) were evaluated by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsIt was discovered that the higher frequency of TH17 cells was in HNSCCs patients (1.0 ± 0.4%). The cell proportions and related cytokine concentrations were consistent with the tumor TNM stage. The IL-6 concentration showed positive correlation with the frequency of TH17 cells (r = 0.661) and IL-17 levels (r = 0.597). The TGF-β concentration showed a positive correlation with IL-17 (r = 0.626) but no relationship with TH17 cells (r = 0.431).ConclusionsThe present data suggested that TH17 cells may be involved in tumor growth and metastasis of HNSCCs. IL-6 may play an important role in TH17 cell differentiation and functions, and TGF-β may be related to IL-17 secretion but not to the differentiation of TH17 cells.