Betel-nut chewing does not influence PD-L1 expression rates in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC): A prospective biomarker prevalence study

Oral Oncol. 2024 May:152:106760. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2024.106760. Epub 2024 Mar 23.

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between betel-nut chewing and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) patients in Taiwan. A total 280 R/M HNSCC patients, predominantly male, were evaluated; 75.4 % of whom chewed betel-nut. The prevalence of PD-L1 expression (combined positive score ≥1) was 94.3 % with similar PD-L1 expression rates between betel-nut-exposed and non-exposed groups. PD-L1 prevalence did not differ in those who received prior first-or second-line systemic therapy. In summary, betel-nut exposure did not notably affect PD-L1 expression rates in R/M HNSCC patients in Taiwan.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Areca* / adverse effects
  • B7-H1 Antigen* / metabolism
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mastication
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local* / epidemiology
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local* / metabolism
  • Prevalence
  • Prospective Studies
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck* / metabolism
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck* / pathology
  • Taiwan / epidemiology

Substances

  • B7-H1 Antigen
  • CD274 protein, human
  • Biomarkers, Tumor