P16 expression and its association with PD-L1 expression and FOXP3-positive tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

• Published in: Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol. 15; no. 2; pp. 137 - 143
• Main Authors: Kim, Taeyeong, Jung, Soon-Hee, Kim, Soo-Ki, Kwon, Hyeong Ju
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Incheon The Korean Society of Toxicogenomics and Toxicoproteomics 01.04.2019; Springer Nature B.V; 대한독성 유전단백체 학회
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cell Biology; Foxp3 protein; Head & neck cancer; Human papillomavirus; Infections; Life Sciences; Lymphocytes; Original Paper; PD-L1 protein; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Polymerase chain reaction; Prognosis; Squamous cell carcinoma; 생물학; PD-L1; Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes; P16; HPV
• ISSN: 1738-642X; 2092-8467
• DOI: 10.1007/s13273-019-0017-9

Backgrounds Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is an important factor in development and prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). It is also known that HPV infection could affect anti-cancer immunity. Methods We examined the association between cancer immunity-related molecules and HPV infection, using immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for p16, PD-L1, and FOXP3 and real-time polymerase chain reaction for HPV. Results The IHC staining for PD-L1 was positive in 30 out of 122 cases (24.6%) and p16 showed positivity in 68 out of 122 cases (55.7%). HPV was detected in 48 out of 122 cases (39.3%). P16 expression was significantly associated with PD-L1 expression ( P =0.004), HPV infection ( P =0.032), and the number of FOXP3-positive tumor infiltrating lymphocytes ( P =0.009). PD-L1-positive or p16-positive HNSCC showed a worse prognosis than PD-L1-negative or p16-negative HNSCC. Conclusion P16 expression may predict PD-L1 expression, and p16 expression may also be associated with the immune evasion of HNSCC.