Immunosurveillance profile of oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral epithelial dysplasia through dendritic and T-cell analysis.

Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) can arise from potentially malignant disorders, such as leukoplakia. The immune system plays an important role recognizing tumour precursor cells. However, due to immuno-editing mechanisms cancer cells are able to escape immune system surveillance. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the profile of dendritic (Langerhans and plasmacytoid) and T cells in OSCC and oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and correlate these findings with clinical data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty cases of OSCC and 48 of OED were immunostained for CD1a and CD83 dendritic Langerhans cells (DLC), CD303 plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) and CD8 followed by quantitative analysis. RESULTS: Analysis revealed a significant decrease in the number of mature CD83 DLC in OSCC compared with OED. CD303 positivity was significantly increased in the OSCC group when compared to OED. CD8-positive lymphocytes were significantly decreased in OSCC compared with OED lesions. No statistical correlation was found with clinical data. CONCLUSION: The number of mature dendritic cells (DC) was decreased in OSCC compared with OED lesions suggesting that either these cells might have migrated to lymph nodes to present the tumour antigens and activate the immune system or cytokines secreted by the tumour microenvironment are inhibiting the adequate maturation of DLC. The numbers of pDC were significantly increased in the OSCC group compared with the OED group. This suggests they may play an important role in the defence against tumours although it is not clear whether this is promoting or inhibiting malignant progression.