Increased Levels of Immune Inhibitory Cd34 + Progenitor Cells in the Peripheral Blood of Patients with Node Positive Headc and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas and The Ability of These CD34 + Cells to Differentiate Into Immune Stimulatory Dendritic Cells

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study determined whether mobilization of immune inhibitory CD34⁺ cells by head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) is most prominent in patients who are node positive and whether these CD34⁺ cells could differentiate into immune stimulatory dendritic cells.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Peripheral blood from patients with head and neck cancer was used to measure the frequency of CD34⁺ cells and their capacity to differentiate into immune stimulatory dendritic cells.

RESULTS: This study demonstrated that increased CD34⁺ cell levels were most prominent in patients who were node positive and patients with recurrent disease. These CD34⁺ cells differentiated into dendritic cells that were able to present tetanus toxoid to autologous T-cells.

CONCLUSIONS: Immune suppressive CD34⁺ cells that are prominent in patients with HNSCC who are node positive are able to develop into immune stimulatory dendritic cells.

SIGNIFICANCE: Differentiation of tumor-mobilized CD34⁺ cells into dendritic cells may be an immuno-therapeutic approach to stimulate antitumor reactivity.