Dendritic Cells in Precancerous Lesions of the Larynx

Abstract

Objectives: Hyperplastic lesions of the laryngeal mucosa can eventually develop into squamous cell carcinoma. The relationship between dendritic cell infiltration of head and neck cancers and prognosis is well known. Surprisingly, data regarding dendritic cell infiltration in precancerous lesions are not available today. It was the purpose of our study to extend these observations and to investigate in more detail the density and distribution of dendritic cells in precancerous lesions. Study Design: Retrospective survey by immunohistochemistry. Methods: For this study we investigated paraffin-embedded tissue sections of 41 specimens. Histological diagnosis disclosed precancerous lesions of the larynx in 34 cases and in 7 cases, squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemical study was performed using antibodies against the cell surface markers S-100, HLA-DR, CD20, CD45 RO, CD45 RA, and Lag. Typical dendritic cell distributions of the immunostained specimens were photographed and measured on a quantitative basis. The medical histories of the patients were then analyzed retrospectively. Results: HLA-DR+ cells could be detected in 14 of 16 cases in mild dysplastic lesions. The infiltration of the dysplastic lesions was sparse compared to cases with higher-graded dysplastic lesions. The distribution patterns of the dendritic cells in specimens with severe dysplastic lesions, but squamous cell carcinoma were extremely similar and markedly different from those in grades I and II specimens. Memory T lymphocytes (CD45 RO+) were detected more often in the group with severe dysplastic lesions (8 of 9 cases) than in the group with squamous cell carcinoma (3 of 8 cases). The inverse became evident for CD20 and CD45 RA immunolabeling. Conclusions: Few dendritic cells were found in the precancerous lesions. This may suggest that these early by the immune system. Therefore they may develop into carcinomas unimpaired by cytotoxic T cells. As the degree of malignancy rises (grade ffi), more de ndritic cells infiltrate the tumor.

A comparative analysis of langerhans cell in oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma using antibody CD-1a

“…[19,20] However, the decrease in LCs with the progression to severe dysplasia [ Table 1; Figure 3] was contradictory to previous studies. [19,20] This can be explained by the observation that all the patients of the study group gave a positive history of tobacco. [21] A dose-dependent response has been demonstrated with the number of cigarettes smoked and the depletion of the LCs.…”

The role of dendritic cells in the pharynx

“…They are located between the tumor cells and in the stroma of head and neck cancers, especially in the areas of inflammatory cell infiltration. Few DCs were found in the early stage of precancerous lesions of the larynx; as the degree of dysplasia rises, more DCs infiltrate the lesion [50]. Few DCs were found in the early stage of precancerous lesions of the larynx; as the degree of dysplasia rises, more DCs infiltrate the lesion [50].…”

Laryngeal dysplasia: aetiology and molecular biology

“…These antigen-presenting cells possess an outstanding capacity to initiate primary immune responses. Sprinzl et al, 65 in an immunohistochemical study of 34 precancerous lesions and seven cases of SCC of the larynx, reported a significant increase in the detection of dendritic cells as the degree of dysplasia increased. They therefore concluded that early precancerous conditions are not efficiently monitored by the immune system and may therefore develop into carcinomas without sufficient activation of cytotoxic T cells.…”