Tertiary Lymphoid Structures Validated as Biomarker

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer treatment.
• Predictive biomarkers are crucial for optimizing ICI therapy efficacy.
• Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) are emerging as potential indicators of immune response.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate TLS as a predictive biomarker for response to ICI-based therapy.
• To assess the efficacy of a PD-L1 inhibitor combined with an anti-angiogenic agent in TLS-positive tumors.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of clinical trial data.
• Assessment of tumor samples for the presence of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS).
• Evaluation of treatment response in patients receiving a PD-L1 targeted agent and a multikinase inhibitor with anti-angiogenic activity.

Main Results:

• New trial data confirm TLS as a predictive biomarker for ICI regimen response.
• Patients with TLS-positive tumors showed clinical responses to the combination therapy.
• Responses were observed even in cancer types generally resistant to checkpoint inhibitors.

Conclusions:

• Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) can predict response to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
• Combination therapy including PD-L1 blockade and anti-angiogenic agents is effective in TLS-positive tumors.
• TLS positivity may overcome resistance to checkpoint inhibitors in certain cancers.