OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in the percentages and balance of CD4T cell subsets including T helper cells (Thl, Th2, and Thl7) and T regulatory cells (Treg) in patients with ovarian cancer.

METHODSPeripheral blood samples were collected from 30 patients with ovarian cancer and 20 healthy subjects for analysis of the percentages of Thl, Th2, Thl7 and Treg using flow cytometry.

RESULTSCompared with the control subjects, the patients with ovarian cancer showed significantly increased percentages of Th2, Thl7 and Treg (P<0.05) but significantly decreased percentage of Th1 in the peripheral blood of patients with ovarian cancer (P<0.05). The changes in CD4T cell subsets were significantly correlated with the clinical stage of the tumor (P<0.05) but not with the histological type or cell differentiation (P>0.05). The Th1/Th2 ratio was significantly decreased in ovarian cancer patients (P<0.05) with obvious Th2 polarization compared with control group. The Treg/Th17 ratio was significantly increased in ovarian cancer patients (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONPatients with in ovarian cancer have abnormal expressions of CD4T cell subsets in the peripheral blood with Th1/Th2 and Treg/Th17 imbalance, and these findings provide evidence for clinical immunotherapy of ovarian cancer.