Elevated Expression of T-Cell Immunoglobulin and Mucin Domain 3 on T Cells from Peripheral Blood in Patients with Cervical Carcinoma

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> To investigate the expression of T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (TIM-3) on peripheral T cells of cervical carcinoma patients. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Peripheral blood samples from 15 high-grade cervical squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) patients, 24 cervical carcinoma patients, and 21 healthy controls were collected. TIM-3 expressions on the surface of peripheral CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells were analyzed with flow cytometry. <b><i>Results:</i></b> There was significantly lower expression of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells in HSIL patients and cervical carcinoma patients compared with healthy controls. We also found that TIM-3 expression on peripheral CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells of both HSIL patients and cervical carcinoma patients was significantly increased compared to the control group. Further analyses revealed that the expression of TIM-3 on peripheral CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells significantly increased in stage III–IV cervical carcinoma patients compared to stages I–II. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The increased expression of TIM-3 on CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells of patients with cervical carcinoma and HSIL suggests the potential role of TIM-3 in the development and progression of cervical carcinoma, which may be a novel therapy target for cervical carcinoma.