# Mismatch Repair Proteins and CD45RO-Positive Lymphocytes in Malignant and Benign Salivary Gland Tumors: A Favorable Association with Disease Clinical Parameters

## TL;DR

This study examines immune markers in salivary gland tumors to understand their role in cancer behavior and patient outcomes.

## Contribution

The study identifies distinct immune microenvironments in malignant and benign salivary gland tumors based on TILs and CD45RO expression.

## Key findings

- MMR proteins were fully expressed in all salivary gland tumors examined.
- Malignant tumors showed higher infiltration of CD45RO+ cells compared to benign tumors.
- TIL infiltration and CD45RO expression varied significantly among different tumor types.

## Abstract

Salivary gland tumors (SGTs) are uncommon lesions that account for 3 to 6% of head and neck cancers.

To investigate mismatch repair (MMR) proteins, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and CD45RO expression in salivary gland tumors (SGTs).

Proteins MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 of the MMR proteins family and CD45RO were evaluated using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections were scored to explore the rate of TILs.

None of the malignant and benign SGTs had partial or complete loss of at least one of the MMR proteins. Mucoepidermoid carcinomas, adenoid cystic carcinomas, salivary ductal carcinomas, and acinic cell carcinomas as malignant tumor types, and pleomorphic adenoma and Warthin's tumors as the most common benign tumors showed considerable differences in terms of the infiltration of TILs and CD45RO. Malignant tumors exhibited a notable difference in the infiltration of CD45RO
+
cells compared to benign ones. Both the tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) stage and the histological grade were shown to be linked with the infiltration status of CD45RO
+
cells.

Our results show that MMR deficiency might be insignificant and less relevant in SGTs. However, differences in TIL rate and CD45RO expression indicate that each of the SGT tumor types may have distinguished immune microenvironments. Malignant SGTs have higher infiltration of activated immune cells, and, thereby, these cells can be considered as good indicators of patient's status.