Defining the Molecular Landscape of Cancer-Associated Stroma in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common skin cancer worldwide. Cancer-associated stroma (CAS) is central to tumor development and strongly influences therapy response. Perineural infiltration (PNI) represents a major risk factor for cSCC and likely influences CAS reprogramming. However, stromal reprogramming in cSCC remains poorly characterized, and it is unknown whether and how PNI influences CAS. To address these questions, we analyzed CAS and matched normal stroma from 20 cSCC cases (11 without PNI and 9 with PNI) by laser-capture microdissection using RNA sequencing. Our analysis reveals extensive stromal reprogramming strongly driven by changes in immune cells, as validated using immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, CAS of cSCC displays markers of immune exhaustion, and multiplex spatial analysis suggests that PD-L1 expression on NK T cells contributes to T-cell exhaustion and immunosuppression. Finally, PNI is characterized by increased IL-17A. In PNI-negative cases, IL-17A derives predominantly from CD3+ cells. However, with PNI, we observe an increased contribution of fibroblasts to high IL-17A, which coincides with a significant increase in FAP+ cells. Our analysis elucidates the molecular landscape of CAS in cSCC and identifies the presence of immunosuppressive mechanisms, supporting further research into immunotherapy and anti-IL-17A in cSCC, especially for cases with PNI.

Automated summary

This study analyzes the molecular landscape of cancer-associated stroma (CAS) in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) and identifies changes in immune cells and the influence of perineural infiltration (PNI) on CAS. The results demonstrate immune exhaustion markers in CAS of cSCC and an increase in IL-17A with PNI. These findings support further research on immunotherapy and anti-IL-17A in cSCC, particularly for cases with PNI.