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Published on: February 25, 2020
Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Prognostic Significance, Predictive Value, and
Panuch Eiamprapaporn1,2, Cindy Venegas Mata3, Raj Nandani4,5
1Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA.
Cancers
|May 27, 2026
Summary
High levels of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) significantly improve survival and treatment response in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Increasing TILs offer incremental benefits, highlighting their role as a key immune biomarker.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype with few targeted therapies.
- Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are a critical immune biomarker in TNBC, showing prognostic and predictive value.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review TIL assessment, the immunobiology of TNBC, and evidence from meta-analyses and clinical trials.
- To synthesize data on TILs' role in survival, treatment response, and the tumor immune microenvironment.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of existing literature.
- Analysis of gene expression and immunobiological data related to TNBC.
- Evaluation of clinical trial outcomes for TNBC patients.
Main Results:
- High TIL levels correlate with improved overall survival (HR 0.58) and disease-free survival (HR 0.66).
- Each 10% increase in TILs provides a measurable survival benefit.
- High TILs predict better pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (OR 2.14).
- Pembrolizumab-based chemoimmunotherapy achieves >80% pCR in lymphocyte-predominant TNBC.
Conclusions:
- TILs are a robust prognostic and predictive biomarker in TNBC.
- TIL levels guide treatment decisions and predict response to chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
- Future research should focus on TIL-guided trials, AI standardization, and adoptive TIL therapies.
