Local immune parameters as potential predictive markers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients receiving induction chemotherapy and cetuximab

Head Neck. 2019 May;41(5):1237-1245. doi: 10.1002/hed.25546. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether tumor-associated immune cells may predict response to therapy and disease outcome in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients receiving induction chemotherapy and cetuximab.

Methods: Paraffin-embedded pretreatment biopsy samples from 45 patients with stage III-IV resectable HNSCC were investigated retrospectively by immunohistochemistry for density of different immune cell types based on expression of CD8, FOXP3, CD134, CD137, PD-1, CD20, NKp46, dendritic cell lysosomal-associated membrane protein (DC-LAMP), CD16, CD68, and myeloperoxidase. Results were analyzed for possible correlations with clinicopathologic parameters, response to therapy, and survival.

Results: Of the immune cell types studied, we found significant association with response to induction chemotherapy only in the case of DC-LAMP+ mature dendritic cells and PD-1+ lymphocytes; density of DC-LAMP+ cells also correlated with progression-free survival.

Conclusion: DC-LAMP+ mature dendritic cells and PD-1+ cells may be implicated in response to induction chemotherapy and cetuximab in HNSCC patients.

Keywords: cetuximab; head and neck cancer; induction chemotherapy; predictive markers; tumor-infiltrating immune cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / therapeutic use*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Biopsy
  • Cetuximab / therapeutic use*
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Induction Chemotherapy
  • Lymphocytes* / immunology
  • Lymphocytes* / physiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / metabolism*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck / drug therapy
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck / immunology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • PDCD1 protein, human
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
  • Cetuximab