Introduction Several studies have shown that patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
(HNSCC) often suffer from a significant vitamin D deficiency, which is associated
with a poor prognosis. Considering the evidence that an adequate vitamin D status
leads to an increased immune cell infiltration in the tumor, this study examined if
vitamin D also influences the expression of the lytic enzymes by the immune cells.
Methods An immunohistochemical analysis was performed on HNSCC tumor tissue samples from
53 patients with an adequate serum level of vitamin D and 61 patients with vitamin
D deficiency, in order to characterize the different expression of the lytic enzymes
Granulyisn, Granzyme A, Granzyme B, Granzyme K and Perforin presented in the tumor
as well as in the peritumoral struma. Additionally, the results were correlated with
the patients’ overall survival.
Results An adequate vitamin D status was associated with a significantly increased peritumoral
and intratumoral leucocytic expression of Granzyme B, Granzyme K and Perforin. Additionally,
a higher tumoral expression of Granulysin and Perforin was verified. These results
also correlated with a better overall survival of the patients.
Conclusions In summary, these observations demonstrate, that an adequate serum level of vitamin
D leads to a significantly increased lytic activity of the tumoral immune cells, which
has a positive impact on the endogenous immune defense, as well as on the overall
survival of the patients. This emphasizes the prognostic significance of a sufficient
vitamin D supply among HNSCC-patients.
Poster-PDF A-1055.pdf
