Evaluation of Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocyte in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to characterize, by using monoclonal antibodies, the defense cells of the immune system in the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma, and their association with the histologic grade of tumor malignancy. It is believed that changes in number or function of these cells may influence the progression of a malignant tumor. We observed that, qualitatively, the immune response in the region of the oral squamous cell carcinoma was characterized by the presence of all cell lineages evaluated; however, statistical tests revealed that only helper T lymphocytes were associated with the histologic grade of tumor malignancy. We concluded that disorders in the immune system balance are not necessarily associated with the number of defense cells present; they are often a result of failure in function, regulation or migration of a cell population from the immune system to the tumor location.