Frontiers in Medicine (Jul 2023)

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and tumor-associated macrophages as potential predictors of lymph node metastases in major salivary gland cancers

  • Armando De Virgilio,
  • Armando De Virgilio,
  • Maria Vittoria Veneroni,
  • Andrea Costantino,
  • Andrea Costantino,
  • Bianca Maria Festa,
  • Bianca Maria Festa,
  • Barbara Fiamengo,
  • Daniela Sebastiani,
  • Giuseppe Spriano,
  • Giuseppe Spriano,
  • Luca Di Tommaso,
  • Luca Di Tommaso

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2023.1163565
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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PurposeThe purpose of this study is to define if tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) could represent potential predictors of lymph node metastases (LNM) in salivary gland cancers (SGC).MethodsA selected number of immunohistochemical markers related to TILs (CD3, CD4, CD68, and FOXP3) and TAMs (CD68 and CD163) were investigated on major salivary gland cancers. TIL and TAM densities were measured on digital images using the open-source QuPath both in the tumor interior (TI) and invasive margin (IM). Correlation with pathologic N classification and follow-up clinical data was investigated.ResultsA total of 25 consecutive patients (men: 11; median age: 62.0) were included. Densities of CD3+ IM (OR = 7.7, 95% CI 1.2–51.2), CD8+ TI (OR = 7.7, 95% CI 1.2–51.2), CD8+ IM (OR = 7.7, 95% CI 1.2–51.2), FOXP3+ TI (OR = 24.0, 95% CI 2.2–255.9), CD68+ TI (OR = 7.7, 95% CI 1.2–51.2), and CD163+ IM (OR = 7.7, 95% CI 1.2 – 51.2), and the Immunoscore CD8/CD3 (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.4) were significantly associated with LNM (p < 0.05). CD3+ TI density was significantly associated with tumor recurrence and death (HR = 5.8, 95% CI 1.5–22.6; p < 0.05).ConclusionA high density of specific TIL and TAM subpopulations might be correlated with a higher probability of LNM in SGC.

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