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Tumor-associated tertiary lymphoid structures in cancer: implications for immunotherapy
Mireille Langouo Fontsa1, Francine Padonou1, Karen Willard-Gallo1
1Molecular Immunology Unit, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
Expert Review of Clinical Immunology
|July 15, 2024
Summary
Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) in tumors enhance anti-tumor immunity and improve patient outcomes with immunotherapy. These structures act as mini-lymph nodes, revitalizing immune responses against cancer.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) are organized immune cell aggregates found at chronic inflammatory sites.
- TLS function as local lymph node-like structures, orchestrating immune responses in various diseases, including cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of TLS in mediating immune responses within human tumors.
- To explore the potential of TLS as prognostic and predictive biomarkers for cancer immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on TLS in human tumors and their association with immunotherapy.
- Analysis of the functional mechanisms of TLS in anti-tumor immunity.
Main Results:
- TLS presence in tumors correlates with improved clinical prognosis, treatment response, and overall survival.
- TLS create a microenvironment that supports immune cell activation, expansion, and maturation, enhancing anti-tumor immunity.
Conclusions:
- TLS are critical for generating specific anti-tumor immune responses and immunological memory.
- TLS can be revitalized by immune checkpoint inhibitors, enhancing their efficacy in cancer treatment.
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