title: The Role of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Development, Progression, and Prognosis of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
abstract: A malignant tumor is not merely an accumulation of neoplastic cells, but constitutes a microenvironment containing endothelial cells, fibroblasts, structural components, and infiltrating immune cells that impact tumor development, invasion, metastasis, and outcome. Hence, the evolution of cancers reflects intricate cellular and molecular interactions between tumor cells and constituents of the tumor microenvironment. Recent studies have shed new light on this complex interaction between tumor and host immune cells and the resulting immune response. The composition of the immune microenvironment differs across patients as well as in cancers of the same type, including various populations of T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, neutrophils, and macrophages. The type, density, location, and organization of immune cells within solid tumors define the immune contexture, which has proved to be a major determinant of tumor characteristics and patient outcome. Lung cancer consists mostly of non-small cell lung cancer (85%); it is our most deadly malignant disease, with the 5-year survival rate being merely 15%. This review focuses on the immune contexture; the tumor-suppressing roles of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes; and the relevance of this immune contexture for cancer diagnostics, prognostication, and treatment allocation, with an emphasis on non-small cell lung cancer.
authors: Institute of Clinical Medicine, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Tromsø, Norway. Electronic address: roy.bremnes@uit.no.
authors: Roy M
authors: RM
authors: Bremnes
authors: Institute of Medical Biology, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
authors: Lill-Tove
authors: LT
authors: Busund
authors: Institute of Clinical Medicine, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
authors: Thomas L
authors: TL
authors: Kilvær
authors: Institute of Clinical Medicine, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
authors: Sigve
authors: S
authors: Andersen
authors: Institute of Medical Biology, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
authors: Elin
authors: E
authors: Richardsen
authors: Institute of Clinical Medicine, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
authors: Erna Elise
authors: EE
authors: Paulsen
authors: Institute of Clinical Medicine, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
authors: Sigurd
authors: S
authors: Hald
authors: Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
authors: Mehrdad Rakaee
authors: MR
authors: Khanehkenari
authors: Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia; School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors: Wendy A
authors: WA
authors: Cooper
authors: Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Asbestos Diseases Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors: Steven C
authors: SC
authors: Kao
authors: Institute of Clinical Medicine, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
authors: Tom
authors: T
authors: Dønnem
mesh_terms: D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000276:immunology*; D011379:Prognosis; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment / Q000276:immunology*
keywords: Immune context; Immunoscore; NSCLC; Prognosis; TILs; Tumor microenvironment