Dataset relate to article: "Alteration of the immunophenotype and cytokine profiles in patients affected by neuroendocrine neoplasms"

This record contains data related to article "Alteration of the immunophenotype and cytokine profiles in patients affected by neuroendocrine neoplasms"

Abstract: Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are tumors that arise from cells of the endocrine system and are most common in the gastrointestinal tract, the pancreas, and the lungs. Their incidence is rapidly increasing and the therapeutic options available are limited, as NENs frequently show resistance to pharmacological therapy. Since the immune system can interfere with tumor growth and response to therapy, using flow cytometry we investigated the immunophenotype in samples of peripheral blood leukocytes from patients with pancreatic (Pan-NEN, n = 45) and pulmonary (Lung-NEN, n = 19) neuroendocrine neoplasm and from 17 healthy donors. Moreover, we performed a multiplex analysis of 13 key cytokines and growth factors essential for the immune response in the plasma of NEN patients and controls. Patients presented with a higher percentage of granulocytes, a lower percentage of lymphocytes and an increase in the granulocytes to lymphocytes ratio (GLR) compared to healthy donors. These alterations were more marked in patients presenting metastasis. Since somatostatin analogs (SSAs) represented the main treatment modality in our cohort of patients, we analyzed its impact on the immunophenotype. SSAs restored the immunophenotype of patients to that seen in healthy donors. Finally, Pan-NEN patients showed a higher plasma concentration of IP-10, MCP-1, and IL-8 compared to healthy donors, suggesting a potential role for these cytokines as diagnostic biomarkers. In conclusion, this study demonstrates profound differences in the immunophenotype of patients with Pan- and Lung-NENs compared to healthy individuals; these alterations were partially restored by therapy.