Molecular and immune landscape of recurrent and/or distant metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: an EORTC/IMMUCAN project - PubMed
5 hours ago
- #immune landscape
- #biomarkers
- #SCCHN
- Recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) has a poor prognosis and is understudied.
- The study analyzed 253 R/M SCCHN biopsies using RNAseq, whole-exome sequencing, and multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF).
- The number of treatment lines significantly impacts the immune microenvironment, with declines in T and B cells observed.
- HPV-negative R/M SCCHN showed enrichment in IL-6, IL-13, IL-15, and NRF2 pathways compared to HPV-positive tumors.
- Specific genomic alterations were found in laryngeal cancer (DDR2, FOXP1, KLF5, ROBO2) and non-smokers/non-drinkers (SPEN, PBRM1, CYLD).
- 11q13.3 amplification was linked to HPV-negative metastatic tumors and hypopharyngeal cancer.
- HPV-negative SCCHN with locoregional recurrence had elevated EGFR and CXCL12 pathway activity.
- p-EMT transcriptomic signatures correlated with poor survival, while lymphocyte infiltration, especially with TLS, improved survival.
- The study identifies potential biomarkers and suggests tailored therapeutic strategies for R/M SCCHN.