Impact of vitamin D on the lytic signature of tumor infiltrating leucocytes in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

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.

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Publication History

Article published online:
10 June 2020