Background: Human papillomavirus-positive (HPV þ ) base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (BOTSCC) has a better outcome than corresponding HPV À cancer. TLR5 and TLR7 expression was previously shown to differ depending on HPV À status and correlate with outcome in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Aims/objectives: For validation, TLR5 and TLR7 were analyzed in a BOTSCC-cohort for correlation with HPV, survival, CD4 þ and CD8 þ tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) counts, the latter being a welldocumented prognostic marker. Materials and methods: BOTSCC biopsies, (49HPV þ /28HPV À ) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for TLR5 and TLR7, and correlated with the above parameters. Results: TLR5 expression was more frequently absent/weak than medium/strong in HPV þ compared to HPV À BOTSCC (p < .001). The opposite was observed for TLR7 (p < .007). TLR5 and TLR7 expression did not correlate to survival in either the HPV À or HPV þ cases, or to CD4 þ TILs. TLR5, (but not TLR7) expression was correlated to CD8 þ TIL counts (p ¼ .023). Conclusion and significance: Absent/weak TLR5 and medium/strong TLR7 expression was validated as more frequent in HPV þ compared with HPV À BOTSCC. A correlation between CD8 þ TIL counts, and TLR5 expression was disclosed, but not with TLR7. Therefore, it could be useful to investigate TLR7 further as a potential independent prognostic marker.
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