Claudin-1 in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Introduction: The objective response rate to immunotherapy is limited in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients, whose prognosis is still dismal. Few prognostic factors are clinically available, mostly related to patient or disease characteristics. Gene expression signatures offer better prognostic abilities but are mainly used in research. One such GE model classifies HNSCC into 6 clusters with different prognoses. Claudin-1 (CLDN1), which influences tumor microenvironment and immune cell infiltration, has emerged as a potential target, especially in cancers like HNSCC with high CLDN1 expression.

Methods: A single-center cohort of 100 loco-regionally advanced HNSCC patients from the BD2Decide observational study was analyzed. Patients were selected to balance long-term survivors and deceased patients, including HPV-negative and HPV-positive cases. Primary tumor specimens underwent GE analysis using Affymetrix ClariomD chips. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS).

Results: The cohort comprised 100 HNSCC patients with a median age of 60 years, predominantly men (76%). Median OS and disease-free survival (DFS) were 94.24 and 42.79 months, respectively. CLDN1 expression varied significantly among primary sites, being highest in hypopharynx cancers. Differences in expression were not significant when stratified by HPV status or clinical stage. CLDN1 expression differed across the 6 transcriptomic clusters, with the highest levels in clusters associated with mesenchymal and hypoxic features. Higher CLDN1 expression correlated with shorter OS (hazard ratio [HR]: 3, p = 0.0023) and DFS (HR: 2.14, p = 0.02).

Conclusion: CLDN1 expression is heterogeneous in HNSCC and carries prognostic significance. It is highest in tumors with HPV-like biology and hypoxic environments, and lowest in immune-sensitive clusters. High CLDN1 is a negative prognostic factor and a promising therapeutic target. Anti-CLDN1 treatments could improve outcomes of CLDN1+ HNSCC patients, and combination therapies with ICIs might overcome resistance in CLDN1- cases. These findings support the need for clinical studies on anti-CLDN1 therapies.