Abstract 2842
Background
Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) plays a key role for immune evasion, contributing to carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Tonsillar squamous cell carcinomas (TSCCs) are the most common human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancers and they frequently present with locally advanced diseases and cervical metastases, which are associated with poor prognoses. Recent studies have reported the close association between PD-L1 and HPV in head and neck SCCs. However, its clinical and prognostic significances in TSCCs remain controversial.
Methods
Immunohistochemical analysis of PD-L1 was performed in 79 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks of surgically resected specimens. Peptide nucleic acid-based HPV chip test was used for detection of HPV.
Results
PD-L1 expression was observed in 19 cases (24.1%), and clinicopathological features such as invasion to base of tongue, lymphatic invasion, infiltrative tumor border, younger age (
Conclusions
PD-L1 overexpression may predict a poor prognosis and a high risk of recurrence in TSCC patients, especially in HPV-positive tonsil cancers, implying PD-L1 could be potent candidates for a new prognostic and predictive biomarker in tonsil cancers.
Clinical trial identification
none of clinical trial
Legal entity responsible for the study
none
Funding
None
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.