title: Differences in T-cell infiltrates and survival between HPV+ and HPV- oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: Recent studies have suggested that immune cells as part of tumor's microenvironment could partly explain the better outcome in HPV-associated oropharyngeal carcinoma. We performed a systematic review of the literature focused on differences in immune-infiltrate in HPV+ versus HPV- oropharyngeal cancers. This comprehensive search yielded 4308 original papers, of which 20 satisfied our eligibility criteria. Increase in both circulating and tumor infiltrating CD8+ lymphocytes is mainly seen in HPV+ oropharyngeal carcinoma. Interestingly, the survival benefit associated with increase in immune cells is equal both in HPV+ and HPV- oropharyngeal cancer. Based on these results, our review underscores the role of the immune system in the biological and clinical behavior of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) and might open doors to further investigate immune modulatory treatment options in OPSCC patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sanne Evelien
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Matlung
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Pauline Maria
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Wilhelmina van Kempen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bovenschen
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; Center for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands; Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; Center for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: van Baarle
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Stefan Martin
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Willems
keywords: T cells; immune cells; immunology; microenvironment; oropharyngeal cancer; prognosis