Illustration of immune cells interacting with cancer cells.

Can Your Immune Cells Reveal if Colorectal Cancer Will Spread?

Kai Mendoza in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research identifies specific immune cells that may predict colorectal cancer metastasis, offering a potential new marker for monitoring the disease."

Our immune system is a complex network, with regulatory T cells (Tregs) playing a crucial role in maintaining balance and preventing autoimmune responses. Within this population of Tregs, scientists are discovering specialized subgroups with distinct functions. One such subgroup, characterized by the expression of latency-associated peptide (LAP), is gaining attention for its potential role in cancer, particularly colorectal cancer (CRC).

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant health concern, and understanding how it spreads (metastasizes) is critical for effective treatment. Recent research has focused on the role of the immune system in either suppressing or promoting cancer progression. This study delves into the specific characteristics and behavior of LAP-expressing Tregs in CRC patients, aiming to uncover their potential as indicators of disease advancement.

This article explores the groundbreaking research that investigates LAP-positive Tregs in CRC patients. It will cover how these cells differ from other Tregs, their functional properties, and, most importantly, their potential link to cancer metastasis. By understanding these findings, we can gain valuable insights into new strategies for monitoring and potentially treating colorectal cancer.

LAP+ Tregs: The 'Activated' Immune Cells in Colorectal Cancer

Illustration of immune cells interacting with cancer cells.

The study involved analyzing blood and tissue samples from 42 CRC patients and comparing them to healthy individuals. Researchers focused on identifying and characterizing LAP-positive Tregs, paying close attention to their surface markers, cytokine release patterns, and ability to suppress other immune cells. The key discovery was that CRC patients had a significantly higher proportion of LAP-positive Tregs in both their peripheral blood and tumor tissues compared to healthy controls.

Further investigation revealed that these LAP-positive Tregs exhibited an 'activated' phenotype, meaning they expressed higher levels of certain molecules associated with immune cell activity. Specifically, they found increased expression of:

Tumor necrosis factor receptor II (TNFRII)
Granzyme B and perforin (molecules involved in cell-mediated cytotoxicity)
Ki67 (a marker of cell proliferation)
CCR5 (a chemokine receptor involved in immune cell migration)

Importantly, the researchers also demonstrated that LAP-positive Tregs were more potent suppressors of other immune cells compared to their LAP-negative counterparts. This suppressive activity was mediated through a transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) dependent mechanism, highlighting the importance of this pathway in their function. This enhanced suppressive ability, combined with their increased presence in CRC patients, suggests a crucial role in modulating the immune response within the tumor microenvironment.

Implications for Monitoring and Treating Colorectal Cancer

This research provides compelling evidence that LAP-positive Tregs are not just bystanders in CRC but active players with the potential to influence disease progression. The finding that a higher percentage of these cells correlates with cancer metastasis is particularly significant, suggesting that they could serve as a valuable biomarker for assessing a patient's risk.

Moreover, the identification of LAP as a marker for activated, highly suppressive Tregs opens new avenues for targeted therapies. By specifically targeting these cells, it might be possible to modulate the immune response within the tumor and enhance the effectiveness of other cancer treatments. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which LAP-positive Tregs contribute to CRC progression and to explore the potential of therapeutic interventions.

While more studies are needed, this research highlights the potential of LAP as a marker for tumor-specific Tregs in CRC patients, opening the door to more precise monitoring and potentially innovative treatment strategies. Further exploration of LAP-positive Tregs promises to refine how we manage and combat this prevalent cancer.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108554, Alternate LINK

Title: Cd4+ T Cells Expressing Latency-Associated Peptide And Foxp3 Are An Activated Subgroup Of Regulatory T Cells Enriched In Patients With Colorectal Cancer

Subject: Multidisciplinary

Journal: PLoS ONE

Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Authors: Jayashri Mahalingam, Chun-Yen Lin, Jy-Ming Chiang, Po-Jung Su, Yu-Yi Chu, Hsin-Yi Lai, Jian-He Fang, Ching-Tai Huang, Yung-Chang Lin

Published: 2014-09-30

Everything You Need To Know

What did the study discover about LAP-positive regulatory T cells in patients with colorectal cancer?

The study found that patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) had a higher proportion of LAP-positive regulatory T cells (LAP-positive Tregs) in their blood and tumor tissues compared to healthy individuals. These LAP-positive Tregs also showed an 'activated' phenotype, indicated by increased expression of Tumor necrosis factor receptor II (TNFRII), Granzyme B and perforin, Ki67, and CCR5. This suggests that LAP-positive Tregs may play a role in the progression of colorectal cancer.

How do LAP-positive regulatory T cells suppress the immune system in colorectal cancer, and what is the implication of that suppression?

LAP-positive regulatory T cells (LAP-positive Tregs) suppress other immune cells more effectively than LAP-negative Tregs through a transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) dependent mechanism. This enhanced suppressive activity, combined with their increased presence in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, suggests they play a crucial role in modulating the immune response within the tumor microenvironment, potentially contributing to cancer progression.

How could LAP-positive regulatory T cells be used in monitoring colorectal cancer, particularly in relation to metastasis?

The presence and activity of LAP-positive regulatory T cells (LAP-positive Tregs) could be used as a biomarker to assess the risk of metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. If a patient has a higher percentage of these cells, it may indicate a greater likelihood of the cancer spreading. Monitoring LAP-positive Tregs could help in risk assessment.

How do regulatory T cells and LAP-positive regulatory T cells impact colorectal cancer development?

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) maintain immune balance, and within Tregs, LAP-positive regulatory T cells (LAP-positive Tregs) are gaining attention for their role in cancer, particularly colorectal cancer (CRC). These cells express latency-associated peptide (LAP) and exhibit an activated phenotype, influencing the tumor microenvironment through immunosuppression. Understanding the specific mechanisms by which LAP-positive Tregs promote or inhibit cancer progression could lead to more targeted immunotherapies.

What other research could be done, building upon the findings about LAP-positive regulatory T cells, to improve the understanding and treatment of colorectal cancer?

The study focused on identifying and characterizing LAP-positive regulatory T cells (LAP-positive Tregs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, but did not specifically address other types of immune cells such as cytotoxic T cells, NK cells, or macrophages within the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, the study highlights transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) but it does not delve into the roles of other immunosuppressive factors such as IL-10 or PD-1. Future research could explore how these different immune cell types interact and how the balance of these factors impacts CRC metastasis.