Clinical Significance of PD-L1(+) Exosomes in Plasma of Head and Neck Cancer Patients

摘要

Purpose: The microenvironment of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) is highly immunosuppressive. HNSCCs expressing elevated levels of PD-L1 have especially poor outcome. Exosomes that carry PD-L1 and suppress T-cell functions have been isolated from plasma of patients with HNSCC. The potential contributions of PD-L1(+) exosomes to immune suppression and disease activity are evaluated.