Immune Suppression in Head and Neck Cancers: A Review. (9th January 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Duray, Anaëlle; Demoulin, Stéphanie; Hubert, Pascale; Delvenne, Philippe; Saussez, Sven
• Other Names: Maggi Enrico Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Clinical & developmental immunology. Volume 2010(2010)
• Publication Date: 2011-01-09
• Subjects: Developmental immunology -- Periodicals; Clinical immunology -- Periodicals; Immune System -- immunology -- Periodicals; Immune System -- growth & development -- Periodicals; Immune System Diseases -- immunology -- Periodicals; 571.9638
• DOI: 10.1155/2010/701657
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1740-2522

Abstract

Abstract : Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are the sixth most common cancer in the world. Despite significant advances in the treatment modalities involving surgery, radiotherapy, and concomitant chemoradiotherapy, the 5-year survival rate remained below 50% for the past 30 years. The worse prognosis of these cancers must certainly be link to the fact that HNSCCs strongly influence the host immune system. We present a critical review of our understanding of the HNSCC escape to the antitumor immune response such as a downregulation of HLA class I and/or components of APM. Antitumor responses of HNSCC patients are compromised in the presence of functional defects or apoptosis of T-cells, both circulating and tumor-infiltrating. Langerhans cells are increased in the first steps of the carcinogenesis but decreased in invasive carcinomas. The accumulation of macrophages in the peritumoral areas seems to play a protumoral role by secreting VEGF and stimulating the neoangiogenesis.