@article{3003380,
    title = "Regulatory T cell counts and development of malignancy in patients with HIV infection",
    author = "Politou, M. and Boti, S. and Androutsakos, T. and Kontos, A. and Pouliakis, A. and Kapsimali, V. and Panayiotakopoulos, G. and Kordossis, T. and Karakitsos, P. and Sipsas, N.V.",
    journal = "Current HIV Research",
    year = "2020",
    volume = "18",
    number = "3",
    pages = "201-209",
    publisher = "Bentham Science Publishers",
    issn = "1570-162X",
    doi = "10.2174/1570162X18666200401122922",
    keywords = "anti human immunodeficiency virus agent;  CD3 antigen;  interleukin 7 receptor;  transcription factor FOXP3, acute HIV infection;  adult;  aged;  antiretroviral therapy;  Article;  brain cancer;  cancer survival;  CD25+ T lymphocyte;  CD4 CD8 ratio;  CD4 lymphocyte count;  CD4+ CD25+ T lymphocyte;  CD8 lymphocyte count;  cohort analysis;  colorectal cancer;  comparative study;  controlled study;  ex vivo study;  female;  follow up;  hematologic malignancy;  Hodgkin disease;  human;  Human immunodeficiency virus infected patient;  Kaposi sarcoma;  lacrimal gland tumor;  larynx cancer;  longitudinal study;  lung cancer;  lymphocyte count;  major clinical study;  male;  medication compliance;  melanoma;  middle aged;  nonhodgkin lymphoma;  patient compliance;  peripheral blood mononuclear cell;  peritoneum pseudomyxoma;  prospective study;  regulatory T lymphocyte;  sex difference;  solid malignant neoplasm;  tongue cancer;  treatment response;  virus load;  cellular immunity;  cytotoxic T lymphocyte;  disease exacerbation;  drug effect;  genetics;  highly active antiretroviral therapy;  Human immunodeficiency virus;  Human immunodeficiency virus infection;  immunology;  immunophenotyping;  mortality;  neoplasm;  pathology;  regulatory T lymphocyte;  survival analysis;  virology, Adult;  Anti-HIV Agents;  Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active;  CD4 Lymphocyte Count;  Disease Progression;  Female;  HIV;  HIV Infections;  Humans;  Immunity, Cellular;  Immunophenotyping;  Longitudinal Studies;  Male;  Middle Aged;  Neoplasms;  Prospective Studies;  Survival Analysis;  T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic;  T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory;  Viral Load",
    abstract = "Background: T-regulatory cells (Tregs) play an important role in maintaining homeostasis by attenuating the cytokine response to T-cell receptor (TCR) stimulation and by suppressing the functioning of neighboring immune cells. In Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, Tregs can be either beneficial, by suppressing generalized T-cell activation, or detrimental, by suppressing protective anti-HIV cell-mediated immunity. An imbalance of Tregs and effector T-cells can blunt immune responses to malignant cells or facilitate inflammation-mediated pathologies. Objective: The purpose of our study was to explore the possible correlation between Tregs’ concentration and HIV infection’s parameters as well as the development of hematological and solid malignancies. Methods: In a longitudinal prospective study, ex vivo phenotyping of fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with primary HIV infection was performed at baseline. All patients were then followed up every 3 months and the development of solid or hematological malignancies was noted. Results: A total of 155 patients were included in the study and the median follow-up period was 64 months. Treg counts were significantly higher among males, patients with high viral load (<350 copies/ml) and patients with virological failure to antiretroviral treatment (ART). Linear regression analysis showed a significant negative correlation between Treg levels and CD4 (+) T-cell counts. Patients with neoplasia had lower levels of Tregs while increasing levels showed a negative correlation with the development of neoplasia. Conclusion: In our population of HIV-infected patients, high levels of Tregs were associated with disease progression, and low baseline levels were associated with a higher probability of developing neoplasia. © 2020 Bentham Science Publishers."
}