High number of CD45RO+tumor infiltrating lymphocytes is an independent prognostic factor in non-metastasized (stage I-IIA) esophageal adenocarcinoma

Background: The validation of novel prognostic indicators is of greatest interest for the management of esophageal adenocarcinoma (Barrett's cancer), particularly for non-metastasized (stage I-IIA) disease. The prognostic role of tumor infiltrating T-lymphocytes (TILs) in Barrett's cancer has not been reported so far. Here we evaluated the impact of TILs on survival, recurrence, and metastasis in Barrett's cancer, particularly in stage I-IIA patients. Methods: The levels of the adaptive immune markers CD3, CD8, and CD45RO were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and image analysis in tissue microarrays consisting of tumor tissues of 118 patients with primary resected Barrett's cancer. The findings were correlated with clinicopathological parameters including patient outcome. Results: In multivariate analysis, a low density of intratumoral CD45RO+ immune cells was an independent unfavorable factor for disease-free survival in stages I-IIA patients (P = 0.004, RR = 4.7, 95% CI = 1.6-13.5) as well in the entire cohort (P = 0.048, RR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.0-4.0). High CD3+ and CD45RO+ levels were associated with prolonged disease-free survival and overall survival as well with low recurrence rates of disease (P = 0.005 and P = 0.018, respectively). In addition, low CD3+ levels were correlated with a higher frequency of lymph node metastasis (P = 0.025). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the density of CD45RO+ TILs is an independent prognostic factor in non-metastasized (stage I-IIA) Barrett's cancer patients and indicates an important role for the adaptive immunologic microenvironment. The inclusion of CD45RO+ density may help to improve the management of stage I-IIA Barrett's cancer.