Abstract
Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common cancer with high morbidity and mortality. Alterations of antitumor immune responses are involved in the development of this malignancy, and investigation of immune changes in the peripheral blood of OSCC patients has aroused the interest of researchers. Methods: In our study, we assessed the proportions of CD3+ total T lymphocytes, CD3+CD4+ helper T lymphocytes, CD3+CD8+ suppressor/cytotoxic T lymphocytes, CD3−CD19+ total B lymphocytes, and CD3−CD16+CD56+ NK cells in the peripheral blood of OSCC patients. Results: The data obtained both pre- and post-therapy showed a similar level of total CD3+ T lymphocytes in OSCC patients and control subjects, pinpointing the stability of this immune parameter. On the other hand, pre-therapeutic data showed a lower proportion of helper T lymphocytes (CD4+), a significantly higher level of cytotoxic/suppressive T lymphocytes (CD8+), and a much lower CD4+ T lymphocyte/CD8+ T lymphocyte ratio compared to control subjects. Conversely, evaluation of circulating NK (CD16+) cells showed a markedly higher pre-therapeutic level compared to the control group. Conclusions: Our results related to immune changes in the peripheral blood add new information to this complex universe of connections between immuno-inflammatory processes and carcinogenesis.
Highlights
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a major type of head and neck cancer and one of the most common malignancies [1,2], associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, especially in advanced stages [3].The multifactorial etiology of the disease, implying both endogenous and environmental factors [4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13], contributes to the complexity of the mechanisms related to the development of OSCC
Along with T lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells play a major role in antitumor defense, and alterations of number, proportion, and function of circulating NK cells have been reported in oral squamous cell carcinoma [33,34]
We aimed to investigate the proportion of lymphocyte subtypes in the peripheral blood of OSCC patients, before treatment and after its completion, to evaluate the potential impact of therapy on the immune mechanisms associated with this pathology
Summary
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a major type of head and neck cancer and one of the most common malignancies [1,2], associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, especially in advanced stages [3].The multifactorial etiology of the disease, implying both endogenous and environmental factors [4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13], contributes to the complexity of the mechanisms related to the development of OSCC. Lymphocytes are the main immune effectors in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), with oral localization, and in this pathology, changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte subtypes have been described in both cytotoxic T lymphocytes, helper T lymphocytes, and regulatory T cells, suggesting a link between the development of oral and maxillofacial squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and the alteration of the antitumor immune responses [30,31,32]. Along with T lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells play a major role in antitumor defense, and alterations of number, proportion, and function of circulating NK cells have been reported in oral squamous cell carcinoma [33,34]. Conclusions: Our results related to immune changes in the peripheral blood add new information to this complex universe of connections between immuno-inflammatory processes and carcinogenesis
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
