Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, Immune Response, and Extracellular Matrix Remodelling in Oral Cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Cancer Biology

Background:

• Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is characterized by a complex tumor microenvironment (TME).
• Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key process in cancer progression.
• The interplay between EMT and immune response in OSCC remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between EMT markers and immune cell infiltration in the OSCC TME.
• To explore the role of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in modulating the tumor microenvironment and invasive phenotype.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of OSCC specimens using immunohistochemistry.
• Evaluation of EMT markers (PDP, CDH1, VIM, FN, TNC, VEGF) and CAF marker (α-SMA).
• Quantification of immune cells (neutrophils via CD66b, T lymphocytes via CD8).

Main Results:

• EMT-like phenotype (reduced CDH1, increased VIM, PDP) correlated with CAF activation (α-SMA) and VEGF expression.
• Elevated VEGF associated with increased tumor invasion.
• Increased neutrophils (CD66b) and reduced CD8+ T cells linked to specific EMT and CAF markers (TNC, FN).
• Higher neutrophil counts and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio correlated with poorer overall survival.

Conclusions:

• CAFs are associated with EMT and an invasive OSCC phenotype.
• CAFs may play a role in immunomodulation within the TME.
• These findings highlight CAFs as potential therapeutic targets in OSCC.