Tumor Microenvironment-Based Risk Stratification of Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma - UTU Research Portal

A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Tumor Microenvironment-Based Risk Stratification of Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Authors: Almangush, Alhadi; Jouhi, Lauri; Haglund, Caj; Hagström, Jaana; Mäkitie, Antti A.; Leivo, Ilmo

Publisher: Wiley

Publication year: 2025

Journal: Head and Neck

Journal name in source: Head & neck

Journal acronym: Head Neck

Volume: 47

Issue: 2

First page : 599

Last page: 605

ISSN: 1043-3074

eISSN: 1097-0347

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.27945

Web address : https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.27945

Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/458302398

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of the prognostic impact of tumor microenvironment (TME) has received attention in recent years. We introduce a TME-based risk stratification for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 182 patients treated for OPSCC at the Helsinki University Hospital were included. TME-based risk stratification was designed combining tumor-stroma ratio and stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes assessed in hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections.

RESULTS: In multivariable analysis, TME-based risk stratification associated with poor disease-free survival with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.68 (95% CI 1.11-6.48, p = 0.029). In addition, the proposed risk stratification was associated with poor disease-specific survival (HR 2.687, 95% CI 1.28-5.66, p = 0.009) and poor overall survival (HR 2.21, 95% CI 1.23-3.99, p = 0.008).

CONCLUSION: Our TME-based risk stratification provides a powerful prognostic tool that can be used in daily treatment planning of OPSCC together with tumor-related prognostic markers.

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Head Neck - 2024 - Almangush - Tumor Microenvironment‐Based Risk Stratification of Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.pdf

Funding information in the publication:
This work was supported by Finnish Cancer Society, Turku University Hospital Fund, Finska Läkaresällskapet, Maritza and Reino Salonen Foundation, K. Albin Johansson Foundation, the Finnish Dental Society Apollonia, Helsinki University Hospital Research Fund, and Sigrid Jusélius Foundation.