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Xirou V, Moutafi M, Bai Y, Nwe Aung T, Burela S, Liu M, Kimple RJ, Shabbir Ahmed F, Schultz B, Flieder D, Connolly DC, Psyrri A, Burtness B, Rimm DL. An algorithm for standardization of tumor Infiltrating lymphocyte evaluation in head and neck cancers. Oral Oncol 2024; 152:106750. [PMID: 38547779 PMCID: PMC11060915 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2024.106750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The prognostic and predictive significance of pathologist-read tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in head and neck cancers have been demonstrated through multiple studies over the years. TILs have not been broadly adopted clinically, perhaps due to substantial inter-observer variability. In this study, we developed a machine-based algorithm for TIL evaluation in head and neck cancers and validated its prognostic value in independent cohorts. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN A network classifier called NN3-17 was trained to identify and calculate tumor cells, lymphocytes, fibroblasts and "other" cells on hematoxylin-eosin stained sections using the QuPath software. These measurements were used to construct three predefined TIL variables. A retrospective collection of 154 head and neck squamous cell cancer cases was used as the discovery set to identify optimal association of TIL variables and survival. Two independent cohorts of 234 cases were used for validation. RESULTS We found that electronic TIL variables were associated with favorable prognosis in both the HPV-positive and -negative cases. After adjusting for clinicopathologic factors, Cox regression analysis demonstrated that electronic total TILs% (p = 0.025) in the HPV-positive and electronic stromal TILs% (p < 0.001) in the HPV-negative population were independent markers of disease specific outcomes (disease free survival). CONCLUSIONS Neural network TIL variables demonstrated independent prognostic value in validation cohorts of HPV-positive and HPV-negative head and neck cancers. These objective variables can be calculated by an open-source software and could be considered for testing in a prospective setting to assess potential clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Xirou
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Myrto Moutafi
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yalai Bai
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Thazin Nwe Aung
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sneha Burela
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Matthew Liu
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Randall J Kimple
- Department of Human Oncology and UW Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Fahad Shabbir Ahmed
- Department of Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Bryant Schultz
- Biosample Repository Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Douglas Flieder
- Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cance Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Denise C Connolly
- Biosample Repository Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cancer Signaling and Microenvironment Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Amanda Psyrri
- Department of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology), National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Barbara Burtness
- Department of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - David L Rimm
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Meirelles DP, Da Costa AAS, Sousa-Neto SS, Cardoso SV, de Mendonça EF, Caldeira PC, De Aguiar MCF. Methodological challenges in identifying histological prognostic markers for squamous cell carcinoma of the lip, mouth, and oropharynx. Oral Oncol 2024; 149:106665. [PMID: 38141327 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2023.106665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Pereira Meirelles
- Department of Oral Surgery and Pathology, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | - Sérgio Vitorino Cardoso
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
| | | | - Patricia Carlos Caldeira
- Department of Oral Surgery and Pathology, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Maria Cássia Ferreira De Aguiar
- Department of Oral Surgery and Pathology, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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Bin-Alee F, Chunthagonesupawit N, Meesakul T, Diloktaweewattana A, Mahattanasakul P, Mutirangura A, Ruangritchankul K, Keelawat S, Kitkumthorn N. High 4-1BB Expression in PBMCs and Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Eur J Dent 2024; 18:236-242. [PMID: 37130554 PMCID: PMC10959597 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1764419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE 4-1BB is a costimulatory immune-activating molecule. Increased amounts of this protein have previously been found in the plasma of patients with oropharyngeal and oral cancer. Here, we focused on this molecule that functions as part of the immune system. We investigated 4-1BB in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) of patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS The expression level of 4-1BB in the PBMCs was determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The TIMER (Tumor Immune Estimation Resource) web server was utilized to approximate the 4-1BB level in HNSCC TILs. Moreover, 4-1BB immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to validate TILs in four organs of HNSCC, including oral cancer (OC), oropharyngeal cancer (OPC), sinonasal cancer (SNC), and laryngeal cancer (LC), in both the tumor area and adjacent normal epithelium. The difference in 4-1BB expression levels in various groups was assessed using a Kruskal-Wallis test and an independent sample t-test. RESULTS The level of 4-1BB expression in PBMCs was highest in OPC, followed by OC and healthy controls (HC). Significant differences were discovered between HC and OPC and between OC and OPC. Bioinformatics revealed a substantial correlation between 4-1BB expression level and lymphocyte infiltration in HNSCC, including B cells, CD8+ T cells, and CD4+ T cells. IHC validation in HNSCC tissue revealed that the average number of 4-1BB positive TILs in all four HNSCC subtypes was considerably greater than the number of lymphocytes seen in adjacent normal tissue. Interestingly, the number of lymphocytes that were 4-1BB positive increased in relation to the TIL level. CONCLUSION A higher number of 4-1BB expression levels were found in the PBMCs and TILs of HNSCC patients, implying that 4-1BB may be a promising approach for HNSCC patients to improve their immune function. It is important to study and create a treatment that uses 4-1BB medicine as well as existing drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fardeela Bin-Alee
- Faculty of Medicine, Princess of Naradhiwas University, Narathiwat, Thailand
| | | | - Tamonwan Meesakul
- Master of Science Program in Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Areeya Diloktaweewattana
- Division of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Research, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence in Dengue and Emerging Pathogens, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Patnarin Mahattanasakul
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Apiwat Mutirangura
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Genetics of Cancer and Human Diseases, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Somboon Keelawat
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nakarin Kitkumthorn
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Fujita Y, Fukuda Y, Sanuki F, Irei I, Monobe Y, Uno M, Akisada T, Shimoya K, Hara H, Moriya T. Protease-Activated Receptor 1 (PAR1) Expression Contributes to HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer Prognosis. Head Neck Pathol 2023; 17:658-672. [PMID: 37486532 PMCID: PMC10514014 DOI: 10.1007/s12105-023-01567-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancer occasionally has a poor prognosis, making prognostic risk stratification crucial. Protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1) is involved in carcinogenesis, and its expression is regulated by alpha-arrestin domain-containing protein 3 (ARRDC3). It is also involved in the tumor microenvironment. We sought to evaluate the predictive ability of PAR1, ARRDC3, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) scores in patients with oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal, and uterine cervical cancers, serving as comparators for HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer. METHODS Immunohistochemical analysis of p16, ARRDC3, and PAR1 expression was performed on 79 oropharyngeal, 44 hypopharyngeal, and 42 uterine cervical cancer samples. The TIL scores were assessed and classified into the following groups based on invasion: low: 0-10%, medium: 20-40%, and high: > 50%. For prognostic analysis, the three groups were evaluated by dividing them into low, medium, and high categories, or alternatively into two groups using the median value as the cutoff. RESULTS p16 was expressed in 44 (56%) oropharyngeal, 8 (18%) hypopharyngeal, and all uterine cervical cancer samples. ARRDC3 was detected in 39 (49%) oropharyngeal, 25 (57%) hypopharyngeal, and 23 (55%) uterine cervical cancer samples. PAR1 was expressed in 45 (57%) oropharyngeal, 22 (50%) hypopharyngeal, and 22 (50%) uterine cervical cancer samples. Patients diagnosed with p16-positive oropharyngeal cancer had a substantially improved prognosis compared to those diagnosed with p16-negative cancer. The PAR1-negative cases had a considerably improved prognosis compared to the positive cases (disease-specific survival [DSS] and -negative cases (disease-free survival [DFS]). Multivariate analysis revealed that ARRDC3-positive cases had an appreciably better DSS prognosis than patients with p16-negative oropharyngeal cancers. PAR1-positive patients among patients with p16-positive oropharyngeal cancer had a poor prognosis. With respect to DFS, patients with PAR1-positive and p16-negative oropharyngeal cancer had a 35-fold higher recurrence rate than those with PAR1-negative and p16-negative oropharyngeal cancer. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that PAR1 expression affects the prognosis and recurrence rate of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshinori Fujita
- Department of Pathology, Kawasaki Medical University, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Kawasaki Medical University, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
| | - Yujiro Fukuda
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Kawasaki Medical University, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
| | - Fumiaki Sanuki
- Department of Pathology, Kawasaki Medical University, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan
| | - Isao Irei
- Department of Pathology, Kawasaki Medical University, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan
| | - Yasumasa Monobe
- Department of Pathology, Kawasaki Medical University, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan
| | - Masako Uno
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Kawasaki Medical University, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
| | - Takeshi Akisada
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Kawasaki Medical University, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
| | - Koichiro Shimoya
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kawasaki Medical University, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Hara
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Kawasaki Medical University, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
| | - Takuya Moriya
- Department of Pathology, Kawasaki Medical University, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-0192, Japan.
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5
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Hue J, Valinciute Z, Thavaraj S, Veschini L. Multifactorial estimation of clinical outcome in HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma via automated image analysis of routine diagnostic H&E slides and neural network modelling. Oral Oncol 2023; 141:106399. [PMID: 37098302 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2023.106399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Routine haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) photomicrographs from human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (HPV + OpSCC) contain a wealth of prognostic information. In this study, we developed a high content image analysis (HCIA) workflow to quantify features of H&E images from HPV + OpSCC patients to identify prognostic features and predict patient outcomes. METHODS First, we have developed an open-source HCIA tool for single-cell segmentation and classification of H&E images. Subsequently, we have used our HCIA tool to analyse a set of 889 images from diagnostic H&E slides in a retrospective cohort of HPV + OpSCC patients with favourable (FO, n = 60) or unfavourable (UO, n = 30) outcomes. We have identified and measured 31 prognostic features which were quantified in each sample and used to train a neural network (NN) model to predict patient outcomes. RESULTS Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses revealed significant differences between FO and UO patients in 31 and 17 variables, respectively (P < 0.05). At the single-image level, the NN model had an overall accuracy of 72.5% and 71.2% in recognising FO and UO patients when applied to test or validation sets, respectively. When considering 10 images per patient, the accuracy of the NN model increased to 86.7% in the test set. CONCLUSION Our open-source H&E analysis workflow and predictive models confirm previously reported prognostic features and identifies novel factors which predict HPV + OpSCC outcomes with promising accuracy. Our work supports the use of machine learning in digital pathology to exploit clinically relevant features in routine diagnostic pathology without additional biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Hue
- Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, United Kingdom.
| | - Zaneta Valinciute
- Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Selvam Thavaraj
- Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Lorenzo Veschini
- Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, United Kingdom.
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Starska-Kowarska K. The Role of Different Immunocompetent Cell Populations in the Pathogenesis of Head and Neck Cancer-Regulatory Mechanisms of Pro- and Anti-Cancer Activity and Their Impact on Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1642. [PMID: 36980527 PMCID: PMC10046400 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most aggressive and heterogeneous groups of human neoplasms. HNSCC is characterized by high morbidity, accounting for 3% of all cancers, and high mortality with ~1.5% of all cancer deaths. It was the most common cancer worldwide in 2020, according to the latest GLOBOCAN data, representing the seventh most prevalent human malignancy. Despite great advances in surgical techniques and the application of modern combinations and cytotoxic therapies, HNSCC remains a leading cause of death worldwide with a low overall survival rate not exceeding 40-60% of the patient population. The most common causes of death in patients are its frequent nodal metastases and local neoplastic recurrences, as well as the relatively low response to treatment and severe drug resistance. Much evidence suggests that the tumour microenvironment (TME), tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and circulating various subpopulations of immunocompetent cells, such regulatory T cells (CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Tregs), cytotoxic CD3+CD8+ T cells (CTLs) and CD3+CD4+ T helper type 1/2/9/17 (Th1/Th2/Th9/Th17) lymphocytes, T follicular helper cells (Tfh) and CD56dim/CD16bright activated natural killer cells (NK), carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), tumour-associated neutrophils (N1/N2 TANs), as well as tumour-associated macrophages (M1/M2 phenotype TAMs) can affect initiation, progression and spread of HNSCC and determine the response to immunotherapy. Rapid advances in the field of immuno-oncology and the constantly growing knowledge of the immunosuppressive mechanisms and effects of tumour cancer have allowed for the use of effective and personalized immunotherapy as a first-line therapeutic procedure or an essential component of a combination therapy for primary, relapsed and metastatic HNSCC. This review presents the latest reports and molecular studies regarding the anti-tumour role of selected subpopulations of immunocompetent cells in the pathogenesis of HNSCC, including HPV+ve (HPV+) and HPV-ve (HPV-) tumours. The article focuses on the crucial regulatory mechanisms of pro- and anti-tumour activity, key genetic or epigenetic changes that favour tumour immune escape, and the strategies that the tumour employs to avoid recognition by immunocompetent cells, as well as resistance mechanisms to T and NK cell-based immunotherapy in HNSCC. The present review also provides an overview of the pre- and clinical early trials (I/II phase) and phase-III clinical trials published in this arena, which highlight the unprecedented effectiveness and limitations of immunotherapy in HNSCC, and the emerging issues facing the field of HNSCC immuno-oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Starska-Kowarska
- Department of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical Physiology, Medical University of Lodz, Żeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Lodz, Poland; ; Tel.: +48-604-541-412
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, EnelMed Center Expert, Drewnowska 58, 91-001 Lodz, Poland
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Almangush A, Alabi RO, De Keukeleire S, Mäkitie AA, Pirinen M, Leivo I. Clinical significance of overall assessment of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in oropharyngeal cancer: A meta-analysis. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 243:154342. [PMID: 36758415 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The overall assessment of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining has been recently studied in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). METHODS We conducted a systematic review of Scopus, Ovid Medline, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library to retrieve studies assessing TILs in HE-stained sections of OPSCC. We used fixed-effect models and random-effect models to estimate the pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) for disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). RESULTS Eleven studies were identified that had analyzed the prognostic significance of TILs in OPSCC using HE-stained specimens. Our meta-analyses showed that a high infiltration of TILs was significantly associated with improved DFS (HR 0.39, 95%CI 0.24-0.65, P = 0.0003), OS (HR 0.38, 95%CI 0.29-0.50, P < 0.0001), and DSS (HR 0.32, 95%CI 0.19-0.53, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Findings of our meta-analysis support a growing body of evidence indicating that assessment of TILs in OPSCC using HE-stained sections has reliable prognostic value. The clinical significance of such assessment of TILs has been reported repeatedly in many studies on OPSCC. The assessment is cost-effective, feasible, easy to transfer from lab to clinic, and therefore can be incorporated in daily practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alhadi Almangush
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 21, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Institute of Biomedicine, Pathology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Faculty of Dentistry, Misurata University, Misurata, Libya.
| | - Rasheed Omobolaji Alabi
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; Department of Industrial Digitalization, School of Technology and Innovations, University of Vaasa, Vaasa, Finland
| | - Stijn De Keukeleire
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Antti A Mäkitie
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital P.O. Box 263, FI-00029 Helsinki, Finland; Division of Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases, Department of Clinical Sciences, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Matti Pirinen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland; Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland; Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilmo Leivo
- Institute of Biomedicine, Pathology, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland; Turku University Central Hospital, Turku, Finland
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Almangush A, De Keukeleire S, Rottey S, Ferdinande L, Vermassen T, Leivo I, Mäkitie AA. Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Head and Neck Cancer: Ready for Prime Time? Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:1558. [PMID: 35326709 PMCID: PMC8946626 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The evaluation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) has received global attention as a promising prognostic cancer biomarker that can aid in clinical decision making. Proof of their significance was first shown in breast cancer, where TILs are now recommended in the classification of breast tumors. Emerging evidence indicates that the significance of TILs extends to other cancer types, including head and neck cancer. In the era of immunotherapy as a treatment choice for head and neck cancer, assessment of TILs and immune checkpoints is of high clinical relevance. The availability of the standardized method from the International Immuno-oncology Biomarker Working Group (IIBWG) is an important cornerstone toward standardized assessment. The aim of the current article is to summarize the accumulated evidence and to establish a clear premise for future research toward the implementation of TILs in the personalized management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alhadi Almangush
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
- Institute of Biomedicine, Pathology, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland;
- Faculty of Dentistry, Misurata University, 2478 Misurata, Libya
| | - Stijn De Keukeleire
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (S.D.K.); (S.R.); (T.V.)
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Sylvie Rottey
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (S.D.K.); (S.R.); (T.V.)
| | | | - Tijl Vermassen
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Ghent, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (S.D.K.); (S.R.); (T.V.)
| | - Ilmo Leivo
- Institute of Biomedicine, Pathology, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland;
- Department of Pathology, Turku University Central Hospital, 20521 Turku, Finland
| | - Antti A. Mäkitie
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, HUS, 00029 Helsinki, Finland
- Division of Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases, Department of Clinical Sciences, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
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9
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Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes in oropharyngeal cancer: a validation study according to the criteria of the International Immuno-Oncology Biomarker Working Group. Br J Cancer 2022; 126:1589-1594. [PMID: 35043007 PMCID: PMC9130301 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-01708-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The evaluation of immune response can aid in prediction of cancer behaviour. Here, we assessed the prognostic significance of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Methods A total of 182 patients treated for OPSCC were included in this study. Assessment of TILs was conducted on tumour sections stained with standard haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. We used the scoring criteria proposed by the International Immuno-Oncology Biomarker Working Group. Results The multivariable analysis showed that TILs associated with disease-specific survival with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.13 (95% CI 1.14–3.96; P = 0.017). Similarly, TILs associated significantly with overall survival with HR of 1.87 (95% CI 1.11–3.13; P = 0.018). In a sub-analysis of HPV-positive and HPV-negative cases separately, TILs showed a significant prognostic value in both groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion The evaluation of TILs as proposed by the International Immuno-Oncology Biomarker Working Group is a simple and promising method in prediction of survival of OPSCC. It is easily applicable and after further validation can be implemented in the routine pathological report as a basic immune parameter.
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10
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Hellquist H, Agaimy A, Stenman G, Franchi A, Nadal A, Skalova A, Leivo I, Zidar N, Simpson RHW, Slootweg PJ, Hernandez-Prera JC, Ferlito A. Development of head and neck pathology in Europe. Virchows Arch 2022; 480:951-965. [PMID: 35028711 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-022-03275-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
This review gives a brief history of the development of head and neck pathology in Europe from a humble beginning in the 1930s to the explosive activities the last 15 years. During the decades before the introduction of immunohistochemistry in the 1980s, head and neck pathology grew as a subspeciality in many European countries. In the late 1940s, the Institute of Laryngology and Otology with its own pathology laboratory was founded in London, and in 1964 the World Health Organization (WHO) International Reference Centre for the Histological Classification of Salivary Tumours was established at the Bland-Sutton Institute of Pathology, also in London. International collaboration, and very much so in Europe, led to the publication of the first WHO Classification of Salivary Gland Tumours in 1972. In the 1960s, a salivary gland register was organised in Hamburg and in Cologne the microlaryngoscopy was invented enabling microscopic endoscopic examination and rather shortly afterwards a carbon dioxide laser attached to the microscope became established and laryngeal lesions could be treated by laser vaporisation. During the last three decades, the use of immunohistochemistry supplemented with cytogenetic and refined molecular techniques has greatly facilitated the pathological diagnostics of head and neck lesions and has had a huge impact on research. Collaboration between different European centres has drastically increased partly due to establishment of scientific societies such as the Head and Neck Working Group (HNWG) within the European Society of Pathology and the International Head and Neck Scientific Group (IHNSG). A very large number of European pathologists have contributed to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th WHO books, and are involved in the upcoming 5th edition. Accredited educational meetings and courses are nowadays regularly arranged in Europe. Numerous textbooks on head and neck pathology have been written and edited by European pathologists. The increased collaboration has created larger series of tumours for research and new entities, mainly defined by their genetic abnormalities, are continuously emerging from Europe, particularly regarding salivary gland neoplasms and "undifferentiated" sinonasal tumours. These findings have led to a better and more precise classification and open the possibilities for new treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Hellquist
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine, Epigenetics and Human Disease Group, Algarve Biomedical Centre (ABC), Algarve University, Campus de Gambelas, Ala Norte, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal.
| | - Abbas Agaimy
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Göran Stenman
- Department of Pathology, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Alessandro Franchi
- Section of Pathology, Department of Translational Research and of New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alfons Nadal
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Basic Clinical Practice, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,August Pi I Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alena Skalova
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine in Plzen, Charles University, Plzen, Czech Republic.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Genetics, Bioptical Laboratory Ltd, Plzen, Czech Republic
| | - Ilmo Leivo
- Institute of Biomedicine, Pathology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Turku University Central Hospital, 20521, Turku, Finland
| | - Nina Zidar
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Pieter J Slootweg
- Department of Pathology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Alfio Ferlito
- Coordinator of the International Head and Neck Scientific Group, Padua, Italy
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11
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Chakrabarti S, Dasgupta S, Deb A. Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma – Evaluation and clinical impact. J Cancer Res Ther 2022; 18:49-54. [DOI: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_830_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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12
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Low PDL1 Expression in Tumour Infiltrating Lymphocytes Predicts Local Recurrence in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Indian J Surg Oncol 2021; 12:408-414. [PMID: 34295087 DOI: 10.1007/s13193-021-01333-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), expression of PDL1 is controversial with expressions showing a positive and negative correlation with survival in previous studies. Additionally, it is unclear whether expression on the tumour or tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) is a better predictor of survival. We performed this study on a cohort of Indian patients with OSCC to determine impact of PDL1 expression on survival. Retrospective analysis of 64 patients of OSCC treated with curative intent surgery with or without adjuvant therapy was performed. Stored tissue blocks were extracted and quantitative immunohistochemistry was performed for PDL1 expression separately on the tumour and the TIL using commercially available Dako kits. Correlation of clinical and pathological variables with PDL1 expression was performed using chi-square test. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards ratio. In our cohort, PDL1 expression was low, both in tumour (92% had <1% expression) and TIL (56% had <1% expression). Tumour low PDL1 expression (<1%) was associated with a higher risk of lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.044) and bone invasion (p = 0.01) but did not impact survival. Low TIL PDL1 expression (<1%) was more common in younger patients (<45 years) (p = 0.023) significantly predicting local recurrence (p = 0.02). PDL1 expression in OSCC was low. Low TIL PDL1 was common in younger patients and predicted local recurrence. Further study is required to better understand the relationship between age, tumour microenvironment and local recurrence.
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13
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Gurin D, Slavik M, Hermanova M, Selingerova I, Kazda T, Hendrych M, Shatokhina T, Vesela M. The tumor immune microenvironment and its implications for clinical outcome in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. J Oral Pathol Med 2020; 49:886-896. [PMID: 32516834 DOI: 10.1111/jop.13055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We examined PD-L1 expression on tumor cells (TCs) and immune cells (ICs) and density of CD3+ and CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and investigated their significance on clinicopathological characteristics and clinical outcomes. METHODS In a cohort of 65 patients treated by definitive intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with curative intent, immunohistochemical analysis of PD-L1 expression on TCs and ICs, and TIL subtyping was performed on primary biopsy tumor tissues, followed by prognostic evaluation of these immune response-related parameters including classification into four tumor immune microenvironment (TIM) types. To evaluate HPV status, p16 immunohistochemistry was performed. RESULTS Densities of CD3+ and CD8+ TILs and PD-L1 expressions on TCs and ICs were significantly higher in p16+/HPV-mediated OPSCC. Patients with high densities of stromal CD8+ TILs displayed significantly better overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). PD-L1 expression neither on tumor cells nor on immune cells affected survival outcomes. Distribution of TIM types based on the combination of PD-L1 expression on TCs and densities of CD8+ TILs is significantly different in p16+ compared with p16- OPSCC. In type III TIM (TC-PD-L1+/low CD8+ TIL density), significantly better OS was shown in p16+ group compared with p16- OPSCC. CONCLUSION The prognostic and predictive role of tumor immune microenvironment was confirmed for patients with OPSCC. Combining HPV status with the evaluation of densities of CD8+ TILs and PD-L1 expression including TIM classification might be of high clinical interest and warrants further prospective evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Gurin
- First Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marek Slavik
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marketa Hermanova
- First Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,First Department of Pathology, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Iveta Selingerova
- Research Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Kazda
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Hendrych
- First Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,First Department of Pathology, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tetiana Shatokhina
- First Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,First Department of Pathology, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marcela Vesela
- First Department of Pathology, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
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14
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Jank BJ, Kadletz L, Dunkler D, Haas M, Schnoell J, Kenner L, Heiduschka G. Epithelial stem cell marker LGR6 expression identifies a low-risk subgroup in human papillomavirus positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Oncol 2020; 105:104657. [DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2020.104657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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15
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Brcic I, Gallob M, Schwantzer G, Zrnc T, Weiland T, Thurnher D, Wolf A, Brcic L. Concordance of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, PD-L1 and p16 expression in small biopsies, resection and lymph node metastases of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Oncol 2020; 106:104719. [PMID: 32335324 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2020.104719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), especially human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated, is increasing worldwide. Immunotherapy become available for patients with carcinomas in the head and neck region, however without ideal biomarker. Markers like PD-L1 vary in the clone of the antibody used, and the method of evaluation. Adequate and reliable immune cells characterization and evaluation is still not found. Furthermore, studies analyzing representativeness of different tissue samples are scarce. We analyzed small biopsy, lymph node (LN) metastasis and resected OPSCC, in regards of tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) density, PD-L1 and p16 expression. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients with OPSCC diagnosed from 2000 to 2016, with small biopsy, resection specimen and LN metastasis samples were selected. We analyzed TILs on hematoxylin-eosin stain, and PD-L1 and p16 expression in tumor cells. Concordance between different tumor locations was evaluated. RESULTS 93 patients, with 65 small biopsies, 72 resection specimens, and 70 LN metastases were included. TILs, p16 and PD-L1 demonstrated very high concordance. Additionally, PD-L1 expression in the small biopsies was more representative of the PD-L1 expression in the resection specimens, than the LN samples. CONCLUSION TILs density can be reliably assessed using hematoxylin-eosin stain with high concordance between the small biopsy, resection specimen and LN metastasis. Evaluation of concordance of p16 expression is very high, nevertheless some cases might be misdiagnosed on a small biopsy or lymph node metastasis. Evaluation of PD-L1 expression is very reliable on the biopsy specimen. Different PD-L1 clones and methods of evaluation still remain to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iva Brcic
- Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Martin Gallob
- Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Gerold Schwantzer
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 2, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Tomislav Zrnc
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 5, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Thomas Weiland
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 26, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Dietmar Thurnher
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 26, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Axel Wolf
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 26, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Luka Brcic
- Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria.
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16
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Almangush A, Leivo I, Mäkitie AA. Overall assessment of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: time to take notice. Acta Otolaryngol 2020; 140:246-248. [PMID: 32022615 DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2020.1720284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Background: The immune response has an important role in cancer progression. At the same time, anti-tumor effect of the immune response has been speculated to cause destruction of cancer cells. Recent studies have highlighted the significance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in different cancers. The International Immuno-Oncology Biomarkers Working Group has in 2017 published a practical review proposing a standardized method to assess TILs in the routine hematoxylin and eosin (HE) stained sections.Aims/objectives: To discuss the association between TILs and survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).Material and methods: We review recent studies having assessed TILs in HNSCC and showing that tumors having low TILs associate significantly with worse survival.Results: These findings underline that HNSCC cases with low TILs might benefit from multimodality treatment and might be indicated to receive immunotherapy.Conclusions: The evaluation of TILs using routine HE-stained sections is practical and can be considered in assessment of antitumor activity.Significance: Here, we highlight the impact of overall assessment of TILs using the routine HE-stained specimens in HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alhadi Almangush
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Institute of Biomedicine, Pathology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Misurata, Misurata, Libya
| | - Ilmo Leivo
- Institute of Biomedicine, Pathology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Antti A. Mäkitie
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Division of Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases, Department of Clinical Sciences, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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17
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Özcan-Wahlbrink M, Schifflers C, Riemer AB. Enhanced Radiation Sensitivity of Human Papillomavirus-Driven Head and Neck Cancer: Focus on Immunological Aspects. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2831. [PMID: 31849993 PMCID: PMC6901628 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), emerging in the mucosa of the upper aerodigestive tract, are associated with either the classical risk factors, tobacco and alcohol consumption, or with infections with high-risk types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Depending on the involvement of HPV, HNSCC follow different pathways of carcinogenesis and show distinct clinical presentations regarding survival, prognosis and treatment response. For instance, HPV-driven HNSCC exhibit an enhanced radiation response compared to their typically radioresistant HPV-negative counterparts. Although radiosensitivity of HNSCC has been studied by many research groups, the major causes for the difference in radiation responses between HPV-driven and HPV-negative HNSCC are still an open question. In this mini review, we discuss the reported cellular and immunological factors involved in the enhanced radiation response in HPV-driven HNSCC, focusing on the vital role of the immune response in the outcome of HNSCC radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mine Özcan-Wahlbrink
- Immunotherapy and Immunoprevention, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Molecular Vaccine Design, German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Schifflers
- Immunotherapy and Immunoprevention, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Molecular Vaccine Design, German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Cell Biology Research Unit (URBC)-Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Angelika B Riemer
- Immunotherapy and Immunoprevention, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Molecular Vaccine Design, German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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