Abstract
The immunoexpression of the PD-L1 and the number of immune infiltrating cells have been shown to be a significant prognostic factors in various human cancers. Immunohistochemical method was used to examine the immunoexpression of PD-L1 and number of Foxp3+, CD4+, CD8+ cells in 78 cases of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs): with better prognosis - OSCCBP (n = 37), and with poorer prognosis - OSCCPP (n = 41), and 18 cases of normal mucosa as a control. The immunoexpression of PD-L1 and the mean number of Foxp3+ cells was significantly increased in OSCCPP group in comparison to OSCCBP and control groups. The mean number of CD4+ cells was significantly increased in OSCCPP group in comparison to OSCCBP and control groups. CD8+ cells were significantly more numerous in OSCCBP group in comparison to OSCCPP and control group. In both OSCCPP and OSCCBP groups there were positive significant correlations between number of Foxp3+ and CD4+ cells. We found positive correlations between the immunoexpression of PD-L1 and numbers of Foxp3+ cells, and negative correlation between the immunoexpression of PD-L1 and numbers of CD8+ cells in both OSCCPP and OSCCBP groups. We found also significant positive correlation between immunoexpression of PD-L1 and the number of CD4+ cells in OSCCPP group. In conclusion, our findings support the hypothesis of involvement of Tregs and PD-L1 in OSCC development and progression.
Highlights
Cancer of the oral cavity is the sixth most common malignancy reported worldwide [1]
The cytoplasmic, perinuclear and nuclear pattern of Foxp3 immunoexpression on tumor infiltrating cells was seen in all oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) cases and 9 control cases
In our study programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) was expressed on cancer cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes as well as epithelial, vascular endothelial and infiltrating cells of control cases
Summary
Cancer of the oral cavity is the sixth most common malignancy reported worldwide [1]. It is the most common cancer in males and the third most common cancer in females [2]. An estimated 3 million new cases occur worldwide, and the overall 5-year survival rate for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is only 50%. Foxp (forkhead box P3) has been the most specific marker distinguishing Treg cells from T cells. Foxp is a member of the forkhead/winged-helix family of transcription factors that are critically involved in the development and function of Tregs [9]. The lack of Tregs due to the loss of Foxp function
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