Myeloid derived supressor cells contribute to distinct immune profiles in HPV+ and HPV- head and neck cancer patients

Introduction: Patients with HPV- localized head and neck cancer show distinct therapeutic responses compared to HPV-associated cancers, implicating differences in immune status and immune response. Therefore, we analyzed immune profiles of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) in HPV+ versus HPV- disease and their influence on CD8+ T cells.

Material and methods: Circulating Immune cells and Tumor infiltrating cells were investigated in two patient cohorts (n=89/ n= 61) via flow cytometric evaluation, ELIspot and immunohistochemistry.

Results: Circulating monocytic MDSC were increased in patients with HPV− disease, associated to lower fractions of terminally differentiated CD8+ effector cells. HPV− tumors displayed lower infiltration rates of CD8+ and CD45RO+ immune cells compared with HPV+ tumors. Importantly, frequencies of tumor tissue-infiltrating PMN-MDSC were increased, while percentages of Granzyme B+ and Ki-67+ CD8 T cells were reduced in patients with HPV− disease. Within the HPV+ group, patients exhibiting low levels of intratumoral CD66b+/LOX1+ PMN-MDSC showed significantly improved survival rates.

Conclusion: We observed differences in frequencies and relative ratios of MDSC and effector T cells in HPV− HNC compared with more immunogenic HPV-associated disease. Our data provide new insight into the immunological profiles of these two tumor entities and may be utilized for more tailored immunotherapeutic approaches in the future.

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