Enhanced Functionality of CD4+CD25highFoxP3+ Regulatory T Cells in the Peripheral Blood of Patients with Prostate Cancer

Abstract
Purpose: CD4+CD25highFoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) have been shown to inhibit the activation and function of T cells that participate in antigen-specific immune responses. Higher levels of Tregs have been reported in the peripheral blood of patients with several types of tumors. In this study, we investigated the number and functionality of CD4+CD25highFoxP3+ Tregs in patients with prostate cancer (PCa), and their potential role in inhibiting antitumor immune responses.