Correlation of E-cadherin, vimentin, CD206, programmed cell death receptor 1, and programmed cell death ligand 1 expressions with clinicopathological factors and prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma

ObjectiveOral squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor occurring in the head and neck region. Current treatment principles are based on radical surgery, supplemented by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, the 5-year survival rate for patients remains approximately 50%. Therefore, further research into the molecular mechanisms underlying oral squamous cell carcinoma development is needed to identify more effective treatment methods.MethodsIn this study, immunohistochemical techniques were used to quantitatively analyze the expression levels of E-cadherin, vimentin, CD206, programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1), and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in 45 pathological sections of oral squamous cell carcinoma. The results showed that the expression levels of vimentin, CD206, and programmed cell death ligand 1 were significantly associated with overall survival. Additionally, Cox multivariate analysis indicated that the M2 macrophage marker, CD206, is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed that E-cadherin expression was negatively correlated with vimentin, CD206, and programmed cell death ligand 1 expression levels. Vimentin expression was positively correlated with programmed cell death receptor 1 and programmed cell death ligand 1 expressions.ResultsImmunohistochemical examination indicated that M2 macrophages are an independent risk factor for poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma and are closely associated with overall survival. Furthermore, they may influence the development and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma tumors by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition in oral squamous cell carcinoma tumor cells. Third, programmed cell death ligand 1 expression has an adverse impact on oral squamous cell carcinoma prognosis and is significantly correlated with the expression levels of CD206, E-cadherin, and vimentin.ConclusionsThis study indicates that programmed cell death receptor 1/programmed cell death ligand 1 and CD206 expressions are independent risk factors for poor oral squamous cell carcinoma prognosis; however, whether programmed cell death receptor 1/programmed cell death ligand 1 expression influences the occurrence and development of oral squamous cell carcinoma through M2 macrophages requires further investigation.