Background: Neoadjuvant therapy provides substantial clinical benefits for patients with locally advanced tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). It improves the rate of complete tumor resection, decreases recurrence risk, and extends survival. However, accurate post-therapy risk stratification depends on the identification of reliable prognostic biomarkers. Objectives: This retrospective study assessed several immune microenvironment biomarkers—tumor-associated tissue eosinophils (TATEs), neutrophils (TANs), lymphocytes (TILs), and tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs)—in 108 patients with stage III or IV TSCC who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy ( n = 44) or immunochemotherapy ( n = 64) between 2013 and 2022. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Post-treatment hematoxylin and eosin (H p = 0.049) and shorter progression-free survival. Conclusion: S-TATE serves as an independent prognostic indicator in patients with locally advanced TSCC receiving neoadjuvant therapy. Quantifying S-TATE in post-treatment specimens may help tailor adjuvant therapy intensity and refine surveillance strategies. Patients with elevated S-TATE levels should receive closer follow-up.
Huang et al. (Sun,) studied this question.