Prognostic Potential of Tumor-Infiltrating Immune Cells in Resectable Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

(1) : The immune microenvironment plays an important role in carcinogenesis and has prognostic potential in many types of cancer. In this study we assess the prognostic character of tumor-infiltrating immune cells CD4, CD8 and CD56 in resectable oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC); (2) : We have evaluated the densities of CD4, CD8 and CD56 in two distinct compartments, intratumor and invasion front, in 90 patients with OSCC; (3) : Significant differences were found between the tumor compartments for the CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes. An improved outcome (OS) was seen in patients with high densities of intratumor CD8 lymphocytes ( = 0.0086), CD8 lymphocytes at the front of invasion ( = 0.0011) and for intratumor CD56 cells ( = 0.0016). Multivariate analysis confirmed the independent prognostic role of CD8 at the front of invasion (OR = 3.75, CI95% 1.17-12.35, = 0.026) and for intratumor CD56 cells (OR = 3.669, CI95% 1.09-15.37, = 0.035); (4) : Tumor-infiltrating CD8 lymphocytes at the front of invasion and CD56 in the intratumor compartment display predictive traits in OSCC. A reach immune infiltration with these types of cells is associated with an improved patient outcome.