New Horizons in the Diagnosis of Gastric Cancer: The Importance of Selected Toll-like Receptors in Immunopathogenesis Depending on the Stage, Clinical Subtype, and Gender of Newly Diagnosed Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a vital role in the innate immune response, recognizing pathogens and initiating the inflammatory response. Research suggests that TLRs may also have a significant impact on the development and progression of cancers, including gastric cancer (GC). Understanding the role of individual TLRs in the immunopathogenesis of gastric cancer may provide new information necessary to develop more effective diagnostic and therapeutic methods. Aim of the study: This study aimed to determine the role of selected TLR-2, -3, -4, and -9 in the immunopathogenesis of patients with newly diagnosed and untreated gastric cancer. Materials and methods: The study included 60 newly diagnosed, untreated GC patients and 25 healthy volunteers. The research included analyses assessing the percentage of the tested TLRs on T and B lymphocyte subpopulations using multicolor flow cytometry and assessing their concentration in the serum of the examined patients using ELISA tests. The statistical analyses performed included a comparison of patients in individual stages of gastric cancer, an analysis of the most common clinical subtypes of gastric cancer, and a comparative analysis of differences in the gender of recruited patients. Results: Our studies showed different expression levels of TLR-2, -3, -4, and -9 on T and B lymphocyte subpopulations, as well as their different concentrations in patients’ serum. Significant differences in the expression of these receptors were observed depending on the stage of gastric cancer and its clinical subtypes. These differences were also visible in the context of patient gender. Summary: The results of our studies suggest that TLR-2, -3, -4, and -9 may play an important role in the immunopathogenesis of gastric cancer. The differential expression of these receptors depending on the stage of the disease, clinical subtype, and gender of patients may have potential diagnostic and therapeutic significance. Further research is necessary to understand better the mechanisms of action of TLRs in gastric cancer and to apply this knowledge in clinical practice.