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

Objective. This study was performed to determine whether T(H)17 cells are involved in the development and metastasis of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Study design. T(H)17 cells frequencies in 67 HNSCC patients and 21 healthy volunteers were examined by flow cytometric analysis. T(H)17 cell-related cytokines in serum (interleukin (IL) 17, transforming growth factor (TGF) beta, and IL-6) were evaluated by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. It was discovered that the higher frequency of T(H)17 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 T(H)17 cells (r = 0.661) and IL-17 levels (r = 0.597). The TGF-beta concentration showed a positive correlation with IL-17 (r = 0.626) but no relationship with T(H)17 cells (r = 0.431). Conclusions. The present data suggested that T(H)17 cells may be involved in tumor growth and metastasis of HNSCCs. IL-6 may play an important role in T(H)17 cell differentiation and functions, and TGF-beta may be related to IL-17 secretion but not to the differentiation of T(H)17 cells. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2011; 112: 81-89)