Overall assessment of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: time to take notice

: Almangush A, Leivo I, Mäkitie AA

Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

: 2020

: Acta Oto-Laryngologica

: ACTA OTO-LARYNGOLOGICA

: ACTA OTO-LARYNGOL

: 140

: 3

: 246

: 248

: 3

: 0001-6489

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00016489.2020.1720284

: https://helda.helsinki.fi/bitstream/10138/337014/1/Ma_kitie_et_al_Acta_Otolaryngol_2020.pdf

Background: The immune response has an important role in cancer progression. At the same time, anti-tumor effect of the immune response has been speculated to cause destruction of cancer cells. Recent studies have highlighted the significance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in different cancers. The International Immuno-Oncology Biomarkers Working Group has in 2017 published a practical review proposing a standardized method to assess TILs in the routine hematoxylin and eosin (HE) stained sections. Aims/objectives: To discuss the association between TILs and survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Material and methods: We review recent studies having assessed TILs in HNSCC and showing that tumors having low TILs associate significantly with worse survival. Results: These findings underline that HNSCC cases with low TILs might benefit from multimodality treatment and might be indicated to receive immunotherapy. Conclusions: The evaluation of TILs using routine HE-stained sections is practical and can be considered in assessment of antitumor activity.