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Updated: Sep 29, 2025

Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
Published on: April 22, 2019
The association between inflammatory biomarkers and statin use among patients with head and neck squamous cell
Kayla R Getz1, Emily Bellile2, Katie R Zarins3
1Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Background:
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and cytokines are associated with prognosis among patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs) may improve HNSCC prognosis, particularly in human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive cases, but the mechanism remains unclear.
Methods:
Statin use was collected from medical records for HNSCC cases (2008-2014). TILs were counted in tumor tissue, and a total weighted score (TILws) was created. Cytokines were measured in blood. The associations between statins and biomarkers were estimated using logistic (biomarker categories:
Results:
We observed a positive association between statins and TILs among HPV-positive patients (TILws odds ratio [OR] = 2.80; 95% CI = 1.03-7.61), but no association among HPV-negative patients. We observed no association between statins and cytokines.
Conclusions:
Statins may influence TILs in HPV-positive patients. This may be the mechanism through which they improve prognosis in HPV-positive HNSCC patients.
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