Fig. 2.

The gemcitabine-associated decrease in MDSCs correlates with increased T-cell proliferation

a, changes in percentages of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) following gemcitabine or best-supportive care (BSC). b, correlations of CD8⁺, CD4⁺ FoxP3 (Th)- and NK-lymphocyte proliferation (Ki67⁺) dynamics with changes in MDSC-frequencies in peripheral blood following gemcitabine (GEM) treatment. Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank tests were performed to calculate statistical significance. MDSCs were available for 35 patients (n = 21 GEM; n = 14 BSC). Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated and a Rho was generated for 17 gemcitabine-treated patients of whom matched T-cells and MDSCs were available. NK = natural killer, ns = not significant, ** = p<0.01.