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The expression of Foxp3 and TLR4 in cervical cancer: association with immune escape and clinical pathology

  • Gynecologic Oncology
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To explore the expression of forkhead/winged helix transcription factor p3(Foxp3) and toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) in cervical cancer and evaluate their clinical significance.

Methods

Foxp3 and TLR4 protein expression was detected in 105 cervical tissue specimens including cervical cancer, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and healthy control samples using immunohistochemistry. Their relationship with clinicopathologic parameters was also determined.

Results

Foxp3 and TLR4 had high levels of expression in cervical cancer cells (91.43 and 82.86%, respectively). Foxp3 levels were significantly associated with FIGO stage (P < 0.001) and tumor size (P = 0.034), while TLR4 levels were associated with clinical FIGO stage (P = 0.033) and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.031). Their expression levels were not correlated with age, histologic type, or differentiation (all P > 0.05). These findings suggest that Foxp3 and TLR4 may be useful prognostic indicators of cervical carcinoma. In addition, there were significant positive relationships between Foxp3 and TLR4 expression (r = 0.703, P < 0.001), which shows a possible link and synergistic role of Foxp3 and TLR4 in promoting the immune escape of cervical cancer.

Conclusions

Foxp3 and TLR4 may be useful biomarkers for patient prognosis and cervical cancer prediction and treatment.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81372776), and the Free Researcher Project of Shengjing Hospital (Grant No. 201302).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No.36 Sanhao St, Heping District, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning, China

    Huijie Zhang & Shulan Zhang

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  1. Huijie Zhang
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  2. Shulan Zhang
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Correspondence to Shulan Zhang.

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The study received ethical approval from the local Research Ethics Committee, and written consent was obtained at the time of recruitment.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Zhang, H., Zhang, S. The expression of Foxp3 and TLR4 in cervical cancer: association with immune escape and clinical pathology. Arch Gynecol Obstet 295, 705–712 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-016-4277-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-016-4277-5

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