Table 1.

summarizes main cell types involved in immune reaction during colorectal cancer disease

Immune cell type: phenotype and description	Effect on colorectal cancer prognosis
CD8+CD45RO+ T cells: memory cytotoxic T cells, associated with a T helper 1 orientation	Favorably influencing relapse-free, progression-free and overall survival
FOXP3+CD25+CD4+ T cells: Regulatory T cells with suppressive effect on effector cytotoxic lymphocytes	Unfavorably influencing relapse-free and overall survival
CD14+CD163-IL10high M1 macrophages: classically activated macrophages	Favorably influencing prognosis by enhancing Th1-type antitumor immune response
CD14+CD163+IL12high M1 macrophages: classically activated macrophages	Unfavorably influencing prognosis by exerting immunosuppressive effect and enhancing Th2-type response
Lin-HL-ADR-CD11b+CD33+ cells: Myeloid-derived suppressor cells	Unfavorably influencing prognosis by promoting metastatic spread

TH: Helper T cell; IL: Interleukin.