Fig. 3.

Predictive factors for achievement of VGPR or greater. Of 81 patients receiving more than 4 cycles of Len-dex, 45 had paired data (baseline and after 3 cycles). a and b demonstrate changes in CD8⁺ T cells and M-MDSCs according to the depth of response (VGPR or greater vs. PR or less). Data are presented as mean ± SEM, and paired t tests were utilized to compare the continuous variables (baseline vs. each time point). *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01. To explore the predictive role of the frequency and ratio (after 3 cycles to baseline) of cell populations for achievement of VGPR or greater, the patients were divided into two groups (low vs. high) by a ROC curve analysis. A high ratio of ${\text{CD8}}_{\text{after}3\text{cycles/baseline}}^{+}$ (≥0.6) had a significant predictive role for achievement of VGPR or greater (c). In contrast, a low ratio of M-MDSC_{after 3 cycles/baseline} (<2.6) was an independent factor for achievement of VGPR or greater (d)