TY - JOUR
T1 - The prognostic role of tumor infiltrating T-lymphocytes in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
T2 - A systematic review and meta-analysis
AU - de Ruiter, Emma J.
AU - Ooft, Marc L.
AU - Devriese, Lot A.
AU - Willems, Stefan M.
N1 - Funding Information:
E. J. de Ruiter is financially supported by the Dutch Cancer Society (project number: A6C 7072).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis © 2017, © Emma J. de Ruiter, Marc L. Ooft, Lot A. Devriese, and Stefan M. Willems.
PY - 2017/11/2
Y1 - 2017/11/2
N2 - Background–The presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the tumor microenvironment is associated with an improved prognosis and a better response to therapy in different types of cancer. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we investigated the prognostic value of T cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods–In a systematic review, Pubmed and Embase were searched for publications that investigated the prognostic value of T cells in HNSCC. A meta-analysis was performed including all studies assessing the association between CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and FoxP3+ TILs and overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), or locoregional control (LRC). Results–A pooled analysis indicated a favorable, prognostic role for CD3+ TILs (HR 0.64 (95%CI 0.47–0.85) for OS, HR 0.63 (95%CI 0.49–0.82) for DFS) and CD8+ TILs (HR 0.67 (95%CI 0.58–0.79) for OS, HR 0.50 (95%CI 0.37–0.68) for DFS, and HR 0.82 (95%CI 0.70–0.96) for LRC) in the clinical outcome of HNSCC. FoxP3+ TILs were also associated with better OS (HR 0.80 (95%CI 0.70–0.92)). Conclusion–This systematic review and meta-analysis confirmed the favorable, prognostic role of CD3+ and CD8+ T cell infiltration in HNSCC patients and found an association between FoxP3+ TILs and improved overall survival. Future studies using homogeneous patient cohorts with regard to tumor subsite, stage and treatment are necessary to provide more insight in the predictive value of TILs in HNSCC.
AB - Background–The presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the tumor microenvironment is associated with an improved prognosis and a better response to therapy in different types of cancer. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we investigated the prognostic value of T cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods–In a systematic review, Pubmed and Embase were searched for publications that investigated the prognostic value of T cells in HNSCC. A meta-analysis was performed including all studies assessing the association between CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and FoxP3+ TILs and overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), or locoregional control (LRC). Results–A pooled analysis indicated a favorable, prognostic role for CD3+ TILs (HR 0.64 (95%CI 0.47–0.85) for OS, HR 0.63 (95%CI 0.49–0.82) for DFS) and CD8+ TILs (HR 0.67 (95%CI 0.58–0.79) for OS, HR 0.50 (95%CI 0.37–0.68) for DFS, and HR 0.82 (95%CI 0.70–0.96) for LRC) in the clinical outcome of HNSCC. FoxP3+ TILs were also associated with better OS (HR 0.80 (95%CI 0.70–0.92)). Conclusion–This systematic review and meta-analysis confirmed the favorable, prognostic role of CD3+ and CD8+ T cell infiltration in HNSCC patients and found an association between FoxP3+ TILs and improved overall survival. Future studies using homogeneous patient cohorts with regard to tumor subsite, stage and treatment are necessary to provide more insight in the predictive value of TILs in HNSCC.
KW - head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)
KW - prognostic biomarkers
KW - systematic review
KW - T cells
KW - tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs)
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85033383672&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/2162402X.2017.1356148
DO - 10.1080/2162402X.2017.1356148
M3 - Review article
C2 - 29147608
AN - SCOPUS:85033383672
SN - 2162-4011
VL - 6
JO - OncoImmunology
JF - OncoImmunology
IS - 11
M1 - e1356148
ER -