Expression of programmed cell death-ligand 1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral leukoplakia is associated with disease progress and CD8+tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes

摘要

Objective: In recent years, monoclonal antibodies targeting programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) have become a promising cancer immunotherapy. However, the role of PD-Ll in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), including oral leukoplakia (OLK), remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression level of PD-L1 in OSCC and OPMDs, and examine its relationship with CD8 expression and different clinicopathological features.