The immunological heterogeneity of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix: a systematic review

Abstract

Background

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in women worldwide and generally driven by persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC) are the two most common histological subtypes, with a relative increase in adenocarcinomas in the last decades. The immunological differences between cervical squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma remain largely unexplored. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for developing tailored therapies that can improve treatment outcomes for patients with cervical cancer. This systematic review provides an overview of the immunological features of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Methods

A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Embase.com, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. All articles addressing immunological features of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix were reviewed and included based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results

In total, 3207 articles were screened, of which 43 were included. Studies show that cervical squamous cell carcinomas are characterised by a more inflamed tumour microenvironment, but also contain more regulatory T cells and immune checkpoints. In contrast, adenocarcinomas are characterised by lower immune cell infiltration, contributing to its poorer prognosis and more limited response to treatment.

Conclusion

The observed differences emphasize the need for further research into subtype-specific differences and distinct therapeutic strategies. For squamous cell carcinomas, future research should focus on combinatorial immune checkpoint blockade, including regulatory T cell-depleting strategies. For adenocarcinomas, oncolytic virotherapy, therapeutic vaccination, and oncogenic signalling interference should be explored.