Tumor-to-stroma cd8+ t cells ratio combined with cancer-associated fibroblasts: an innovative approach to predicting lymph node metastases of cervical cancer

Purpose Precise identification of lymph node metastases is vital for the management of cervical cancer. However, the existing diagnostic methods for lymph node metastases have certain drawbacks. In this study, we aim to explore the expression of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-to-stroma CD8 + T cells ratio (CD8 + T cells T:S ratio) and its association with lymph node metastases of cervical cancer. Methods Hundred and ten cervical cancer tissues and 39 biopsy tissues from patients were investigated immunocytochemically for the expression of CAFs and CD8 + T cells. The statistical correlation analysis was carried out using the SPSS system. Results A strong and statistically significant negative correlation ( r = − 0.690; P