Prognostic Significance of Tumor-infiltrating Lymphocytes in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Reshma Poothakulath Krishnan, Deepak Pandiar, Aarthi LakshmananBackground:
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has a complex tumor microenvironment (TME) that modulates the progression, invasion, and migration of oral cancer cells. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), a key component of the TME, play an important role in immune surveillance and modulation of cancer cells.
Aim:
The present study aimed to evaluate the prognostic role of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in OSCC.
Materials and Methods:
The study included 150 OSCC patients, comprising 50 cases each of well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (WDSCC), moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, and poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (PDSCC). Demographic data, including age, gender, site, and the survival data, were retrieved from departmental records, and the presence of TILs was evaluated by two oral pathologists. The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS software 23.
Results:
The mean age of the OSCC patients was observed as 54 ± 8 years. Stromal and intratumoral TILs were more common in WDSCC (14.66% and 28.66%, respectively) compared to PDSCC (16.67%; 0%). A statistically significant difference was observed between OSCC grades and stromal TIL groups (
Conclusion:
OSCC patients with high TILs showed improved overall survival, and a decreased incidence of lymphovascular and perineural invasion. Given the significant association between stromal TILs and the overall prognosis of OSCC patients, future studies should investigate its relationship with the immune microenvironment.