Variation of NK, NKT, CD4⁺ T, CD8⁺ T cells, and IL-17A by CalliSpheres^® microspheres-transarterial chemoembolization in refractory liver metastases patients

Immune environment plays an important role in the management of liver cancer. The current study aimed to explore the change of NK and NKT cells, IL-17A, CD4⁺ T and CD8⁺ T cells in refractory liver metastases patients before and after CalliSpheres^® microspheres transarterial chemoembolization (CSM-TACE). Peripheral blood (PB) samples from 35 refractory liver metastases patients were collected before CSM-TACE (baseline), 2 days (D2) and 5 days (D5) after CSM-TACE. Then, NK and NKT cells, IL-17A, CD4⁺ T and CD8⁺ T cells from PB samples were detected. All enrolled patients successfully completed CSM-TACE procedure and achieved disease control rate of 100% after 1 month. NKT cells were increased from baseline to D2 and D5 [median (range): 5.88% (1.53%-12.05%) vs. 9.54% (5.19%-15.71%) vs. 7.12% (2.77%-13.29%)], NK cells were also enhanced from baseline to D2 and D5 [median (range): 14.35% (5.85%-20.52%) vs. 20.36% (15.88%-27.30%) vs. 30.82% (22.18%-37.72%)], while IL-17A was declined from baseline to D2 and D5 [median (range): 22.11 (9.46-39.18) pg/ml vs. 12.41 (3.24-26.84) pg/ml vs. 6.55 (1.11-20.98) pg/ml]. Furthermore, IL-17A was negatively correlated with the NK and NKT cells at baseline, D2 and D5 (all p < .05), respectively. Additionally, CD4⁺ T cells and CD4⁺ T/CD8⁺ T ratio were increased while CD8⁺ T cells were declined from baseline to D2 and D5 (all p < .05). NK cells, NKT cells, and CD4⁺ T cells are increased but IL-17A and CD8⁺ T cells are declined after CSM-TACE in refractory liver metastases.