The Impact of Nutritional Status and Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (CD4+ and CD8+) on Chemotherapy Response in Colorectal Cancer Patients.

INTRODUCTION

The World Health Organization reports that colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, with an estimated 1.9 million new cases annually. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are frequently associated with colorectal cancer and are believed to play a significant role in the immune response to cancer cells. Regarding chemotherapy responses in patients with colorectal cancer, this study aims to investigate the association between nutritional status and infiltrating lymphocyte counts, specifically CD4+ and CD8+.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective observational study analyzed the impact of nutritional status using body mass index (BMI) and TILs levels (CD4+/CD8+) on chemotherapy outcomes in CRC patients treated at a tertiary hospital in West Java, Indonesia, from July 2023 to June 2024.

RESULTS

Thirty-six research subjects were included. Eighteen participants had high levels of TILs CD4+ and CD8+ expression. Nutritional status, age, histological type, tumor site, stage, and metastasis showed no significant correlation with the expression of either CD4+ or CD8+. Nutritional status, levels of CD4+ and CD8+ were significantly associated with chemotherapy responses in CRC patients (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Nutritional status and elevated TIL levels (CD4+/CD8+) positively correlate with better chemotherapy response in CRC patients.