A macrophage-predominant immunosuppressive microenvironment and therapeutic vulnerabilities in advanced salivary gland cancer.

ABSTRACT: Salivary gland cancers are rare, diverse malignancies characterized by poor response to immunotherapy. The tumor immune environment in these cancers remains poorly understood. To address this, we perform an integrative analysis of the tumor immune microenvironment in a large cohort of advanced salivary gland cancer samples. Most tumors exhibit low immune activity with limited immune cell infiltration. Inflammation is linked to higher tumor mutational burden in non-adenoid cystic carcinoma histologies. Subtype specific expression of immune checkpoints is identified with prominent expression of VTCN1 in luminal-like cells within adenoid cystic carcinoma. Macrophages with immunosuppressive properties dominate the immune microenvironment across subtypes. Responses to immunotherapy are limited

SUBMITTER: Zuljan E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12162891 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature