Regulatory T-cell infiltration in tongue squamous cell carcinoma

Conclusion: In tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), high levels of regulatory T-cell (Treg) infiltration in tumor nests are observed in the cases with poor prognosis. Objectives: The role of Tregs in head and neck cancers remains unclear. The aim of this study was to observe the distribution of Tregs in different stages of tongue SCC and estimate the effects on prognosis. Methods: Thirty-four cases with tongue SCC were examined immunohistochemically for CD4, CD8, and Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3). Immunoreactive cells were counted in cancer stroma and nest regions, and relationships between cell numbers and disease-free survival rates were analyzed. Results: In the 34 cases, univariate analysis for disease-free survival indicated high-level infiltration of Tregs (CD4⁺Foxp3+) into both cancer nests and stroma and presence of helper T (CD4⁺Foxp3-) cells in cancer stroma as potential predictors of significantly worse prognosis. In early-stage cases (stage I/II), high-level infiltration of Tregs in cancer nests correlated significantly with poor disease-free survival rate. Multivariate analysis for disease-free survival found no independent variables.