ROR1 as an Immunotherapeutic Target for Inducing Antitumor Helper T Cell Responses Against Head and Neck Squamous...

Background/Objectives: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the seventh most common cancer, with limited responsiveness to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Cancer vaccine therapy is a promising novel immunotherapeutic approach that stimulates tumor-specific T cells. Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1), which is overexpressed in malignant tumors but minimally expressed in normal tissues, presents a promising target for immunotherapy. This study aimed to evaluate ROR1 as a target for helper T lymphocyte (HTL)-based peptide vaccine immunotherapy in HNSCC. Methods: ROR1 expression in HNSCC tissues was assessed by immunohistochemistry. A novel ROR1-derived epitope (ROR1_403-417) was identified and used to generate ROR1-reactive HTLs. Functional assays measuring IFN-γ and granzyme B secretion, as well as direct cytotoxicity, were performed. The effects of ICIs on HTL activity were also examined. The presence of ROR1-reactive T cells in the peripheral blood of patients with HNSCC was evaluated. Results: ROR1 positivity rates in HNSCC tissues were significantly higher (80.0%) than those in healthy controls (16.7%), and high ROR1 expression correlated with advanced clinical stages. HTL lines recognized the ROR1_403-417 peptide in a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR-restricted manner, secreted effector cytokines, and exhibited direct cytotoxicity against ROR1+ tumor cells. Dual PD-L1/PD-L2 blockade further enhanced HTL responses. ROR1-reactive T cells were detected in the peripheral blood of patients with HNSCC. Conclusions: ROR1 represents a promising target for immunotherapy in HNSCC. The ROR1_403-417 peptide can elicit ROR1-reactive HTLs that exhibit antitumor responses against HNSCC cell lines, which can be enhanced by ICIs. These findings support the potential of ROR1-targeted peptide vaccine therapy for HNSCC.