Frequency and Implications of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells and lymphocyte subsets in Egyptian patients with hepatitis C virus‐related hepatocellular carcinoma

Background and aim Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a pivotal role in tumor immunity and induction of immune tolerance to a variety of antitumor effectors, including T lymphocytes. Herein, we tried to evaluate the frequency and clinical significance of MDSCs and different lymphocyte subsets in hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Four groups were enrolled; chronic HCV (CHC; n = 40), HCV‐related liver cirrhosis (n = 40), HCV‐related HCC (HCV‐HCC; n = 75), and healthy control group (n = 20). The percentage of peripheral lymphocytes subsets and total MDSCs with their main two subsets; monocytic (M‐MDSCs) and granulocytic (G‐MDSCs) was evaluated by flow cytometry. Results The frequency of total MSDCs and M‐MDSCs was significantly elevated in HCV‐HCC especially patients with advanced stage HCC compared with those with early‐stage HCC. The frequency of total MSDCs and M‐MDSCs was positively correlated with ALT, AFP, and HCV viral load and negatively correlated with CD8+ T‐cell frequency. CD4 + T cells were significantly decreased in HCV‐HCC patients. The frequency of CD4 + T cells and CD8 + T cells was negatively correlated with AFP and AST, but not with albumin or HCV viral load. Conclusion Taken together, our data suggest that MDSCs, M‐MDSCs, and lymphocyte subsets are associated with the development and progression of HCV‐related HCC