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Gene Expression Profiling of the Peritumoral Immune Cell Infiltrate of Penile Squamous Cell Carcinomas

  • 0Dr. Senckenberg Institutes of Pathology & Human Genetics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences +

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November 27, 2024

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November 27, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Immune cell infiltrates in penile carcinomas impact prognosis. Higher infiltrates correlate with increased cytotoxicity and pathogen defense genes, independent of HPV status.

Area Of Science

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Pathology

Background

  • Penile carcinomas have a poor prognosis, especially in advanced stages.
  • Immune cell infiltrates in these tumors are linked to varying prognoses.
  • Characterizing these infiltrates is crucial for understanding tumor behavior.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To characterize immune cell infiltrates in penile squamous cell carcinomas.
  • To correlate immune cell infiltrate density with tumor characteristics and gene expression.
  • To investigate the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in immune cell infiltration.

Main Methods

  • Immunohistochemistry and RNA expression profiling (nCounter PanCancer Immune Profiling Panel) were used.
  • Cases were classified based on peritumoral immune cell infiltrate density.
  • Computational models and specific antibodies (CD20, CD3, CD4, CD8, MUM1, CD68, CD117) were employed.

Main Results

  • Cases clustered into low and high immune cell infiltrate density groups.
  • Higher infiltrate density correlated with increased immune cells and functions like cytotoxicity and pathogen defense.
  • Upregulated genes in high-infiltrate cases included GZMA, MICB, and GNLY.
  • No correlation was found between immune infiltrate and HPV infection status.

Conclusions

  • Immune cell infiltrate density is a significant factor in penile squamous cell carcinoma.
  • Specific immune cell functions and gene expressions are associated with higher infiltrates.
  • The influence of HPV on peritumoral immune infiltrate in penile cancer remains unclear.

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