Nwodo P.T., Samoylova S.I., Reshetov I.V., Davidyuk D.N., Xu Shi Jun, Han Yu Yao, Sukortseva N.S., Onoja S.O., Haboubacar E.Y.M. Clinical, Morphological, and Molecular Biological Prognostic Biomarkers and Immunotherapeutic Predictors of Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Literature Review. Head and Neck. Russian Journal. 2026;14(2):115–125
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25792/HN.2026.14.2.115-125
Objective: To evaluate clinical, morphological, and molecular biological prognostic markers of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and determine their value for personalized prognosis assessment and treatment optimization.
Materials and methods: An analytical review of current scientific publications on prognostic factors in OSCC was conducted. Clinical, pathological, and molecular biological parameters were analyzed, including tumor grade (G), depth and pattern of invasion, lymphovascular and perineural invasion, and tumor response grade, as well as molecular markers such as human papillomavirus (HPV) status, apoptosis indicators, cell cycle regulators, and characteristics of the local immune microenvironment of the tumor.
Results. We established that both morphological and molecular biological parameters significantly influence the course and prognosis of OSCC. Histological features of tumor aggressiveness, including high grade, severe invasion, and the presence of lymphovascular and perineural invasion, are associated with adverse clinical outcomes. At the same time, HPV positivity, apoptotic activity, cell cycle regulation, and tumor immune microenvironment significantly impact OS and RFS. Multivariate analysis integrating clinical, morphological, and molecular parameters demonstrates higher prognostic value compared to the use of individual criteria.
Conclusion. A comprehensive assessment of clinical, morphological, and molecular biological factors allows for a more accurate prognosis of the course of OSCC and facilitates personalized treatment. Integration of data at various levels offers the potential for developing reliable prognostic models, improving risk stratification, and optimizing clinical decisions, which ultimately may improve treatment efficacy and outcomes for patients with OSCC.
Keywords: head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, biomarkers, p53, Ki-67, PD-L1, CD73, prognostic biomarker, TDO2, human papillomavirus, OLR1, tumor microenvironment
Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Funding. The study was performed without external funding.