Are tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes protagonists or background actors in patient selection for cancer immunotherapy?
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are frequently observed in several tumors, reflecting the dynamic process of '"cancer immunoediting"'. Prognostic and predictive values of TILs have been demonstrated in different cancers, proving their pivotal role in clinical outcome. In recent years, new therapies targeting immune checkpoint inhibitors, especially CTLA-4 and PD-1/PDL-1 pathways, have been introduced into clinical practice. In this context, TILs may even have a possible utility as a predictive biomarker for immunotherapy response. Areas covered: In this review, the authors summarize the most relevant knowledge related to TILs. This includes their prognostic and predictive significance in various types of tumour and the recent findings about their potential role in the cancer immunotherapy. Expert opinion: TILs evaluation could lead to a predictive biomarker for immunotherapy effectiveness in several cancer types. Furthermore, typing of TILs subpopulation could have clinical relevance in patient selection for treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. However further studies are still needed.
a Pathology Unit , Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale"-IRCCS , Naples , Italy.|b Pathology Unit , Università della campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli' , Naples , Italy.
Federica
F
Zito Marino
c Unit of Melanoma , Cancer Immunotherapy and InnovativeTherapy- IRCCS , Naples , Italy.
Paolo Antonio
PA
Ascierto
d Unit of Pathologic Anatomy , Azienda USL Valle d'Aosta , Aosta , Italy.
Giulio
G
Rossi
e Departmentof Biomorphological and Functional Sciences , University of Naples 'Federico II' , Naples , Italy.
Stefania
S
Staibano
b Pathology Unit , Università della campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli' , Naples , Italy.
Marco
M
Montella
e Departmentof Biomorphological and Functional Sciences , University of Naples 'Federico II' , Naples , Italy.
Daniela
D
Russo
f Department of Anesthesiology , Surgery and Emergency, Università della Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli' , Naples , Italy.
Roberto
R
Alfano
g Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Thoracic Surgical and Medical Oncology , Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale"-IRCCS , Naples , Italy.
Alessandro
A
Morabito
a Pathology Unit , Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale"-IRCCS , Naples , Italy.
Gerardo
G
Botti
b Pathology Unit , Università della campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli' , Naples , Italy.
Renato
R
Franco
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D060890:B7-H1 Antigen / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D060890:B7-H1 Antigen; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C423236:CD274 protein, human; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; C556706:CTLA4 protein, human
Immunotherapy; Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes; immune checkpoint inhibitors; microenvironment; multiplex immunohistochemical; programmed death 1