Fig. 4

Peripheral blood subpopulations of T helper cells in breast cancer patients during one year. The proportion of T cell subpopulations (A) T helper cells (Th, CD3 + CD4+), (B) shows the Th/Treg ratio, (C) naïve central Th cells (CD3 + CD4 + CD45RO-CD62L+), (D) memory central Th cells (CD3 + CD4 + CD45RO + CD62L+), (E) naïve effector Th cells (CD3 + CD4 + CD45RO + CD62L-) and (F) memory effector Th cells (CD3 + CD4 + CD45RO + CD62L-) in relation to the parent cell population was determined quarterly by flow cytometry. The first measurement (baseline, 0 months) was performed after diagnosis and before initiation of therapy. Boxes extend from the 10th to the 90th percentiles. Points below and above the whiskers are drawn as individual data points. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.005, **** p < 0.001, therapy group differences were assessed using two-tailed Mann Whitney U test, differences over time within one group were assessed using two-tailed Wilcoxon matched-paired signed rank test