“Prognostic significance of PD-L1 Immunoexpression in Oral Potentially Malignant Disorder and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma”: A Study Protocol

Background: “Oral squamous cell carcinoma” (OSCC) is a most common type of invasive disease. It involvs damage to the oral epithelium. It gives a bad prognosis. There are alterations in cells of the oral mucosa called “oral epithelial dysplasia” (OED) and are categarised as “Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders” (OPMD). As a result, prior alteration in premalignant lesions would encourage prior cancer treatment and could essentially diminish morbidity and mortality. “Programmed death ligand 1” (PD-L1) is functionally imputed ligand of the “co-inhibitory programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1)”. “(PD-L1)” is over-expressed on different cells including lymphocytes, tumor cells and different tissues in numerous malignancies. In this study, we will make effort to evaluate a new role of PD-L1 by correlating the immunoexpression of PD-L1 and clinicopathological characteristics and its prognostic significance in OSCC. We will evaluate and compare immunoexpression of PD-L1 in normal mucosa, OPMD and OSCC.

Methodology: Total 93 samples will be included in this study and they are divided into three groups, 31 in each group of the following: OPMD, OSCC and normal oral mucosa (control).Immunohistochemical staining will be performed and the integration of PD-L1 expression with various clinical features of OPMD and OSCC will be performed.

Expected Result: The present study will find immunohistochemical expression of “PD-L1” in OPMD and OSCC and its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics of OPMD and OSCC and 3 years disease-specific survivalof OSCC patients.

Conclusion: There is natable positive correlation of “PD-L1” appearance with OSCC. In case of OPMD, the progression of disease in terms of prognosis could be monitored. The unpredictable “PD-L1” appearance may be the main focus of integration therapy in OSCC. To provide personal immunotherapy to a variety of patients, the condition of PD-L1 should be considered.