Circulating CD137⁺Treg cells and LOX-1⁺PMN-MDSCs as biomarkers of immunotherapy resistance in (R/M) HNSCC patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma ((R/M) HNSCC) represents one of the most aggressive and immunosuppressive cancers. Despite the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), only a limited number of patients obtain long-term benefits. In (R/M) HNSCC patients, the antitumor immune response is defective, conferring resistance and promoting tumor progression. Therefore, the identification of novel biomarkers for superior clinical outcomes and easily accessible in standard clinical settings is still an unmet clinical need.

Methods

Blood liquid biopsies obtained from (R/M) HNSCC patients undergoing pembrolizumab therapy (monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy) were analyzed by flow cytometry to evaluate the levels of circulatin

SUBMITTER: Asquino A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12676864 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature