Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40503412›Full record

ArticleWorld journal of clinical oncology2025

Functional heterogeneity and clinical implications of CD4+ T cell subtypes in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma.

Bei-Lei Zhang, Wei Gao, Ling He, Xiao-Ting Liu, Zhong-Ming Wang, Li Tan

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Article in World journal of clinical oncology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

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0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Tight junction disruptionWorld journal of clinical oncology · 2025
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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Bei-Lei ZhangDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province (Brain Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha 410007, Hunan Province, China.
Wei GaoDepartment of Traumatic Orthopedics, The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province (Brain Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha 410007, Hunan Province, China.
Ling HeDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Changsha 410011, Hunan Province, China.
Xiao-Ting LiuDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province (Brain Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha 410007, Hunan Province, China.
Zhong-Ming WangEpilepsy Center, The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province (Brain Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha 410007, Hunan Province, China.
Li TanDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province (Brain Hospital of Hunan Province), Changsha 410007, Hunan Province, China. tanli2022@163.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHigh-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is among the most lethal gynecological malignancies, characterized by late-stage diagnosis, extensive peritoneal dissemination, and limited treatment options, resulting in poor survival outcomes. The tumor microenvironment plays a critical role in disease progression and therapy resistance, with CD4+ T cells exhibiting significant plasticity and functional heterogeneity. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are particularly implicated in immune suppression and tumor evasion. However, the spatial distribution, functional states, and prognostic significance of CD4+ T cell subtypes in HGSOC remain poorly understood.

aimTo characterize the functional heterogeneity and tissue-specific distributions of CD4+ T cell subtypes in HGSOC and identify biomarkers for therapy.

methodsWe analyzed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from 42 HGSOC patients, examining samples collected from adnexal tissues and ascites. CD4+ T cells were identified and classified into subtypes using unsupervised clustering and marker gene analysis. Functional profiling was performed using pathway enrichment, differential expression analysis, and functional signature scoring. Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox proportional hazards modeling were conducted to evaluate the prognostic value of CD4+ T cell subtypes.

resultsDistinct distributions of CD4+ T cell subtypes were identified between adnexal tissues and ascites. Naive CD4+ T cells were predominant in ascites, while Tregs and CXCL13-expressing CD4+ T cells were enriched in adnexal tissues. Tregs were further categorized into four subtypes (Treg1, Treg2, Treg3, and TISG), each exhibiting unique molecular signatures and tissue-specific adaptations. Treg3 cells, enriched in adnexal tissues, were characterized by high levels of activation and exhaustion markers, correlating with poor clinical outcomes in HGSOC patients.

conclusionTreg3 cells drive immune suppression and tumor progression in HGSOC, making them a key immunotherapy target. Their adnexal enrichment highlights the need for tissue-specific immune profiling in precision treatment.

Indexed as

CD4+ T cellsHigh-grade serous ovarian carcinomaImmune microenvironmentRegulatory T cellsSingle-cell RNA sequencing

Identifiers

PMID40503412
PMCPMC12149831

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