biostudies-literatureGuillot-Delost MEuropean Research Councile1179414https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC5006899biostudies-literatureUnknown5(7)Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an interleukin (IL)-7-like cytokine expressed by epithelial cells during allergic inflammation, and activating dendritic cells (DC). Its expression and functional role in cancer remain controversial. We conducted retrospective (n = 89), and prospective studies including patients with untreated primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We found that TSLP was overexpressed by HNSCC tumor cells, and associated with a highly differentiated status. However, no significant difference in overall and recurrence-free survival was found between patients bearing a tumor with high and low TSLP levels, respectively. Surprisingly, there was no significant association between the levels of TSLP expression, and the number of tumor-infiltrating mature DCLOncoimmunologyLigand-receptor dissociated expression explains high TSLP without prognostic impact in human primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.PMC5006899281987Scholer-Dahirel ASastre-Garau XKebir FZRodriguez JTartour EHonorio SLe Tourneau CMosseri VPattarini LHuerre MNicolas ALappartient ELe Peltier NMichea PSablin MPBerger FVentre ASoumelis VKlijanienko JJouffroy TSirven PBadoual CGuillot-Delost MGuillere LChouchane-Mlik OfalseLigand-receptor dissociated expression explains high TSLP without prognostic impact in human primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an interleukin (IL)-7-like cytokine expressed by epithelial cells during allergic inflammation, and activating dendritic cells (DC). Its expression and functional role in cancer remain controversial. We conducted retrospective (n = 89), and prospective studies including patients with untreated primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We found that TSLP was overexpressed by HNSCC tumor cells, and associated with a highly differentiated status. However, no significant difference in overall and recurrence-free survival was found between patients bearing a tumor with high and low TSLP levels, respectively. Surprisingly, there was no significant association between the levels of TSLP expression, and the number of tumor-infiltrating mature DCL2016-01-01T00:00:00Z2016 Jul2025-06-01T01:07:29.93Z2025-06-01T01:07:29.93ZS-EPMC50068992762203410.1080/2162402X.2016.117941410.1080/2162402x.2016.1179414