Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41755397›Full record

ArticleThe Journal of laryngology and otology2026

Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes do not predict survival in human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: a single institution retrospective review.

Michael Fitzsimons, Grace O'Flanagan, Shane Brennan, Hannah O'Driscoll, Susan Kennedy, Conrad Timon, Robbie Seton Rowan Woods

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In one paragraph

Article in The Journal of laryngology and otology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Michael FitzsimonsRoyal College of Surgeons in Irelandhttps://ror.org/01hxy9878, Ireland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7949-4194
Grace O'FlanaganRoyal College of Surgeons in Irelandhttps://ror.org/01hxy9878, Ireland.
Shane BrennanSt. James' Hospitalhttps://ror.org/04c6bry31, Dublin, Ireland.
Hannah O'DriscollRoyal College of Surgeons in Irelandhttps://ror.org/01hxy9878, Ireland.
Susan KennedyRoyal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospitalhttps://ror.org/03z0mke78, Dublin, Ireland.
Conrad TimonRoyal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospitalhttps://ror.org/03z0mke78, Dublin, Ireland.
Robbie Seton Rowan WoodsRoyal College of Surgeons in Irelandhttps://ror.org/01hxy9878, Ireland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveHuman papillomavirus (HPV) associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) exhibits a favourable prognosis compared to non-HPV OPCSCC. Tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) may predict better survival outcomes for patients with HPV+OPSCC.

methodsA retrospective review of patients treated for HPV+OPSCC between 2003-2018. TIL density scores for each patient's tumour specimen were determined. Patients were categorised as TIL-Hi or TIL-Lo. Survival outcomes for the two TIL groups were compared.

resultsFifty-seven patients, 33 in the TIL-Hi group, were included. 5-year overall survival was 81.8% in the TIL-Hi and 75% in the TIL-Lo groups. 5-year disease specific survival was 87.9% and 87.5%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in survival outcomes between TIL-Hi and TIL-Lo.

conclusionTIL density in HPV+OPSCC has been reported to predict survival outcomes. This is not supported by the findings of this study. Further prospective evaluation with a standardised scoring technique may fully elicit the prognostic value of TILs in HPV+OPSCC.

Indexed as

Carcinoma, Squamous CellHuman Papillomavirus VirusesLymphocytes, Tumor-InfiltratingOropharyngeal NeoplasmsPapillomavirus InfectionsSquamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and NeckAgedFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrognosisRetrospective Studieslymphocytesoropharyngeal neoplasmspapillomavirus infectionsprognosistumor-infiltrating

Identifiers

PMID41755397
PMCPMC13443429

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.