Table 1.
Distinct clinical and immunological features of HPV− and HPV+ HNSCC.
| Clinical Parameter | HPV− | HPV+ |
|---|---|---|
| prevalence | 95% | 5% |
| risk factors | alcohol, tobacco | HPV |
| age | older | younger |
| localization | anywhere | mainly oropharynx |
| overall survival | worse | better |
| chemotherapy | - | better response |
| immunotherapy (iCPi) | response | increased response |
| tumor mutational burden | low | high |
| Immunological Parameters | ||
| HLA-G | + | ++ |
| PD-L1 | + | ++ |
| HLA class I loss | ++ | ++ |
| immune cell infiltration | + | ++ |
| immune suppression | + | ++ |
+ moderate increase; ++ strong increase.