Lectin-like Transcript-1 (LLT1) Expression in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas: Prognostic Significance and Relationship...

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Oncology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Lectin-like transcript-1 (LLT1) is implicated in immune evasion across various cancers.
• Understanding LLT1's role in the oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clinical significance of tumoral and stromal LLT1 expression in OSCC.
• To explore the relationship between LLT1 expression and immune cell infiltration in the TIME.

Main Methods:

• Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze LLT1, PD-L1, CD20+, CD4+, CD8+ lymphocytes, and CD68+/CD163+ macrophages in 124 OSCC specimens.
• Associations with clinicopathological variables, prognosis, and immune cell densities were assessed.

Main Results:

• Positive LLT1 expression was found in 33% of tumor cells and 44% of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs).
• Tumor-intrinsic LLT1 correlated with poorer survival, suggesting immunosuppression.
• TIL LLT1 was linked to better survival and increased infiltration of CD8+ T cells and M1/M2 macrophages.
• Combined tumoral and stromal LLT1 distinguished three prognostic categories (favorable, intermediate, adverse).

Conclusions:

• Tumoral and stromal LLT1 expression holds prognostic relevance in OSCC.
• LLT1 evaluation may enhance prognosis prediction and patient stratification in OSCC.