Spatial interaction mapping of PD-1/PD-L1 in head and neck cancer reveals the role of macrophage-tumour barriers associated with immunotherapy response.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, where the prognosis is poor due to the high rates of recurrence and metastasis. With approximately one million new cases projected in 2024, worldwide mortality of HNSCC is estimated to reach 50% of detected cases the same year. Patients with early-stage tumours showed a 50-60% five-year survival rate in the US. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown promising results in prolonging survival in a subset of patients with recurrent or metastatic disease. However, challenges remain, particularly the limited efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapies. PD-L1 protein expression has been shown to be limited in its predictive power for ICI therapies. Emerging evidence shows that i

SUBMITTER: Naei VY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11818323 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature