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Beyond PD-L1-Identification of Further Potential Therapeutic Targets in Oral Cancer
Manuel Weber1,2, Rainer Lutz1,2, Manuel Olmos1,2
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Background:
The involvement of immune cell infiltration and immune regulation in the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is shown. Anti-PD-1 therapy is approved for the treatment of advanced OSCC cases, but not all patients respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Hence, further targets for therapeutic approaches are needed. The number of identified cellular receptors with immune checkpoint function is constantly increasing. This study aimed to perform a comparative analysis of a large number of immune checkpoints in OSCC in order to identify possible targets for therapeutic application.
Materials And Methods:
A NanoString mRNA analysis was performed to assess the expression levels of 21 immune regulatory checkpoint molecules in OSCC tissue (n = 98) and healthy oral mucosa (NOM; n = 41). The expression rates were compared between the two groups, and their association with prognostic parameters was determined. Additionally, relevant correlations between the expression levels of different checkpoints were examined.
Results:
In OSCC tissue, significantly increased expression of CD115, CD163, CD68, CD86, CD96, GITRL, CD28 and PD-L1 was detected. Additionally, a marginally significant increase in CD8 expression was observed. BTLA and PD-1 levels were substantially increased, but the differential expression was not statistically significant. The expression of CD137L was significantly downregulated in OSCC compared to NOM. Correlations between immune checkpoint expression levels were demonstrated, and some occurred specifically in OSCC tissue.
Conclusions:
The upregulation of inhibitory receptors and ligands and the downregulation of activators could contribute to reduced effector T-cell function and could induce local immunosuppression in OSCC. Increased expression of activating actors of the immune system could be explained by the increased infiltration of myeloid cells and T-cells in OSCC tissue. The analysis contributes to the understanding of immune escape in OSCC and reveals potential targets for oral cancer immunotherapy.
Insights
This study identified key immune checkpoints in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Upregulated inhibitory molecules and altered activators suggest immune escape, revealing potential new targets for oral cancer immunotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) progression involves immune cell infiltration and regulation.
- Current anti-PD-1 therapy for advanced OSCC has limitations, necessitating new therapeutic targets.
- The discovery of novel immune checkpoint receptors highlights the need for comprehensive analysis in OSCC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a comparative analysis of numerous immune checkpoints in OSCC.
- To identify potential therapeutic targets for oral cancer immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- NanoString mRNA analysis was used to quantify 21 immune regulatory checkpoint molecules.
- Expression levels were compared between OSCC tissues (n=98) and healthy oral mucosa (NOM, n=41).
- Associations with prognostic parameters and correlations between checkpoint expressions were examined.
Main Results:
- Significantly increased expression of CD115, CD163, CD68, CD86, CD96, GITRL, CD28, and PD-L1 was observed in OSCC.
- CD8 expression showed a marginally significant increase, while BTLA and PD-1 levels were substantially elevated.
- CD137L was significantly downregulated in OSCC compared to NOM, with specific correlations noted between checkpoints.
Conclusions:
- Upregulation of inhibitory receptors and downregulation of activators may reduce T-cell function and promote immunosuppression in OSCC.
- Increased expression of immune activators likely reflects myeloid and T-cell infiltration in OSCC tissues.
- This analysis enhances understanding of immune escape mechanisms in OSCC and identifies promising immunotherapy targets.
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