The Clinical Significance of Peripheral Blood Helper T Cell Subsets in the Efficacy of Radiotherapy for Patients with Esophageal Cancer

Shilong Song; Qimeng Tao; Zhiwei Tian; Jingjing Sun; Hongbo Xu

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijcemr.2025.05.022

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International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine Research

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Article Open Access http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijcemr.2025.05.022

The Clinical Significance of Peripheral Blood Helper T Cell Subsets in the Efficacy of Radiotherapy for Patients with Esophageal Cancer

Shilong Song¹, Qimeng Tao¹, Zhiwei Tian², Jingjing Sun¹, Hongbo Xu^1,*

¹Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu 233004, Anhui, China.

²Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu 233000, Anhui, China.

*Corresponding author: Hongbo Xu

Published: June 9,2025

Abstract

Background: Peripheral blood helper T cell subsets are pivotal in assessing immune function and predicting treatment outcomes in cancer patients. This study sought to determine the prognostic significance of these subsets in gauging the efficacy of radiotherapy for esophageal cancer patients. Methods: 80 patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer underwent a comprehensive analysis of their helper T cell subsets before and after radiotherapy. Treatment efficacy was meticulously evaluated using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RE-CIST) guidelines. Results: Radiotherapy induced significant immunological alterations, evidenced by a notable increase in the proportions of Th17 and Tfh cells, while the percentages of Th2, Treg, and Tfr cells decreased significantly (all P < 0.05). Post-treatment, the responsive group exhibited higher Tfh cell proportions (P < 0.05) and lower Treg cell percentages (P < 0.05) compared to the non-responsive group. Logistic regression analysis identified Tfh cells as a protective factor and Treg cells as a risk factor for treatment response (P < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis further underscored the predictive utility of Tfh (AUC = 0.930) and Treg (AUC = 0.830) cells. Conclusion: The proportions of Tfh and Treg cells represent independent determinants of radiotherapy response and hold promise as robust biomarkers for predicting treatment outcomes in esophageal cancer patients, offering potential implications for personalized immunotherapeutic strategies.

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How to cite this paper

The Clinical Significance of Peripheral Blood Helper T Cell Subsets in the Efficacy of Radiotherapy for Patients with Esophageal Cancer

How to cite this paper: Shilong Song, Qimeng Tao, Zhiwei Tian, Jingjing Sun, Hongbo Xu. (2025) The Clinical Significance of Peripheral Blood Helper T Cell Subsets in the Efficacy of Radiotherapy for Patients with Esophageal Cancer. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine Research, 9(3), 369-375.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijcemr.2025.05.022

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The Clinical Significance of Peripheral Blood Helper T Cell Subsets in the Efficacy of Radiotherapy for Patients with Esophageal Cancer

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