Circulating innate lymphoid cells and IL-18 as potential immune biomarkers in thymic tumors.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare malignancies frequently associated with autoimmunity. However, circulating immune biomarkers for patient stratification and disease monitoring remain undefined. Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are emerging regulators of tumor immunity, but their role in TETs has not yet been characterized.

Methods

Peripheral blood samples from 32 patients with histologically confirmed TETs and 20 healthy donors were analyzed by multiparametric flow cytometry to quantify circulating ILC subsets. Serum cytokine concentrations were measured using multiplex immunoassays. Patients were stratified according to histology, disease activity, and presence of autoimmune manifestations.

Results

TETs displayed a significant expansion of circulatin

SUBMITTER: Maresca DC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12682857 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature