Intratumoral microbial abundance and load influence the immune microenvironment of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study aimed to explore the characteristics intratumoral microbiome in oral squamous cell carcinoma, and elucidate the interplay between intratumoral microbial profiles (relative abundance/absolute load) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes markers (CD4⁺/CD8⁺/FOXP3) and PD-L1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods

We analyzed 45 OSCC tissue samples alongside paired paracancerous (n=10) and normal oral microbiota controls (n=8). Microbial composition was characterized by 16S rRNA sequencing (V3-V4 regions), with bacterial load quantified via qPCR targeting the V4-1 region. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes markers were assessed by immunohistochemistry.

Results

Spirochaetota was concentrated in the CD4⁺ as well as CD8

SUBMITTER: Fang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12497615 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature