Association of CD57+ natural killer cells with better overall survival in DLBCL patients

Background: Malignant tumor cells may evoke the innate and adaptive immune systems. Various immune cells are involved in this immune reaction, and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells are associated with patient prognosis for solid tumors. Methods: Seventy-eight patients who were diagnosed with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) between 2001 and 2009 were selected. CD57+ NK cells, CD68+ tumor associated macrophages (TAMs), and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were evaluated in tissue sections using immunohistochemical staining and compared with clinical parameters including age, gender, performance status, clinical stage, serum lactic dehydrogenase level, number of extranodal sites, international prognostic index score, chemotherapy response, and survival. Results: Patients with high numbers of CD57+ NK cells had a significantly higher overall survival rate than patients with low numbers of CD57+ NK cells. However, no significant difference was observed between the number of CD57+ NK cells and other prognostic parameters. The number of CD68+ TAMs and CD4+ or CD8+ T cells was not significantly correlated with prognostic factors in patients with DLBCL. Conclusions: An evaluation of tumor infiltrating CD57+ NK cells is recommended as a prognostic indicator in patients with DLBCL.