Preoperative peripheral naïve / memory ratio and prognosis of nonsmall-cell lung cancer patients.

PURPOSE This study focused on the relationship between preoperative peripheral blood CD4(+) naïve/memory ratio and prognosis following surgery for patients with nonsmall-cell lung cancer. METHODS After measuring CD3, CD4, CD8, CD45RA, CD45RO, CD25, and intracellular CTLA4 levels, CD4(+) naïve/memory ratios were determined for 13 controls and 38 patients. RESULTS Although we observed no significant difference in the ratios, the patients exhibited a wider range of values than the controls. Of the 38 patients, 24 subsequently underwent surgery and were divided into three groups based on their preoperative CD4(+) naïve/memory ratio: Group I: <0.3; Group II: 0.3-0.8; and Group III: >0.8. Survival times were then evaluated. Group II survival was significantly better than Groups I and III. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that the preoperative CD4(+) naïve/memory ratio may serve as a prognostic factor for nonsmall-cell lung cancer patients.