Tumor HPV status, level of regulatory T cells and macrophage infiltration predict up to 20-year non-disease-specific survival in oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma patients
Haave, Hilde; Ljøkjel, Borghild; Lybak, Helene; Moe, Svein Erik Emblem; Berge, Jan Erik; Vintermyr, Olav Karsten; Helgeland, Lars; Aarstad, Hans Jørgen
Journal article, Peer reviewed
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Date
2022Metadata
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- Department of Clinical Medicine [2086]
- Registrations from Cristin [10237]
Abstract
Oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is of special interest because human papilloma virus (HPV) and/or smoking cause this disease. Influxes of inflammatory cells into such tumors are known to vary with prognoses. Aims: To study whether the density of tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes and tumor-infiltrating macrophages predicted general 20-year overall survival (OS), as well as OS with only disease-specific survival (DSS) patients included. Methods: Biopsies from patients treated for OPSCC (n = 180) were stained by immunohistochemistry and the tumor cell macrophage (CD68), pan T lymphocytes (CD3), and regulatory T lymphocytes (Foxp3) densities were determined. The HE-determined percentage of matured tumor cells and the rate of invasion were calculated, and stromal desmoplasia were performed. Tumor HPV presence was studied by PCR. Twenty-year OS and five-year DSS patients were determined. Results: Tumor HPV status strongly predicted survival. High tumor infiltration of CD3, Foxp3 and CD68-positive cells predicted better twenty-year OS, with and without HPV stratification. Foxp3 and CD68 levels predicted OS, and 20-year among DSS patients, primarily among HPV(+) patients. Tumor HE-derived variables did not predict such survival. Conclusions: Tumor HPV status, level of Foxp3 tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and CD68 tumor-infiltrating macrophages predicted up to 20-year OS of both all patients and disease-specific survived patients.