Assessment of tumor-associated immune cells in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Purpose This study investigated the characteristics of tumor-associated immune cells (TAICs) in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and their correlation with clinicopathological variables. Methods The immune cell infiltrates of 71 specimens of stages I–IV LSCC were examined. The density of TAICs expressing CD3, CD4, CD8, CD68, and CD163 was assessed using immunohistochemical staining and image analysis in peritumoral and intratumoral regions. Results Higher densities of CD3+ and CD8+ cell and lower densities of CD68+ and CD163+ cell infiltrations were found in early tumor stages than in late tumor stages. A higher percentage of patients with strong CD3+ and CD8+ immune cell infiltration and weak CD68+ cell infiltration in both tumor regions presented with T1 stage tumors compared with T4 stage tumors. Further, strong CD68+ cells infiltration in both regions was observed in a greater number of patients who had a relapse, while a weak CD3+ cells infiltration in both regions was found in a greater number of patients with nodal lymphatic metastasis. The univariate analysis showed that a high density of peritumoral CD3+ and CD8+ immune cells in both regions was significantly associated with a favorable overall survival (OS) ( P = 0.004; P = 0.006; P = 0.042). In contrast, a high density of intratumoral CD68+ cells and peritumoral CD163+ cells was significantly associated with poor OS durations ( P = 0.026; P = 0.030). The multivariate analysis demonstrated that a high density of peritumoral CD163+ cells correlated with poor OS after adjusting for tumor stage, recurrence, and nodal lymphatic metastasis ( P = 0.034). This study found different patterns of TAIC infiltration in LSCC. The density and location of TAICs infiltration correlated with the clinicopathological characteristics of LSCC. Conclusion A combined analysis of the density of TAICs and their location may help predict patient survival and response to checkpoint inhibitors.