Tumor-Infiltrating CD1a+ DCs and CD8+/FoxP3+ Ratios Served as Predictors for Clinical Outcomes in Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients

Tumor-infiltrating immune cells engage in an extensive crosstalk with tumors and act as two-edged swords by inhibiting or promoting cancer growth. Therefore, identifying the density and prognostic values of tumor-infiltrating immune cells will provide valuable tips for cancer treatments. In this study, we identified the density of tumor inflammatory infiltrates and the number of tumor-infiltrating immune cells, including CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), FoxP3(+) T cells and CD1a(+) dendritic cells (DCs) in 153 tongue squamous cell carcinomas (TSCC). High inflammatory cell infiltration was associated with better overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS). Moreover, the number of CD3(+), CD4(+), FoxP3(+) and CD1a(+) cells were associated with tumor differentiation (P<0.001) and the number of FoxP3(+), CD1a(+) cells and CD8(+)/FoxP3(+) ratios were also associated with tumor stage (P<0.01, P<0.01, P<0.05). In addition, patients with higher CD1a(+) DCs had better OS and increased CD8(+)/FoxP3(+) ratios were associated with improved OS and DFS (P = 0.037; P = 0.047; P = 0.033). In conclusion, our results indicated that tumor-infiltrating CD1a(+) DCs and CD8(+)/FoxP3(+) ratios were associated with favorable clinical outcomes but not independent prognostic factors for TSCC patients.