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IMMUNOTHERAPY

B cells and TLSs facilitate a response to ICI

Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology volume 17, page 195 (2020)Cite this article

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Tumour-infiltrating B cells have been detected in different solid tumour types, but their role in cancer remains unclear. Now, the findings of three independent studies published simultaneously in Nature indicate that B cells and tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) are key determinants of a response to immune-checkpoint inhibition (ICI).

The expression of a B cell signature was assessed in cutaneous melanoma samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Among three distinct melanoma immune classes identified, cluster C was associated with the highest expression of B cell genes and the most favourable overall survival (OS; P < 0.0001 and P = 0.068, respectively, both versus cluster A). “Our observations suggest that responses to ICIs require the orchestrated contribution and organization of many cell types in TLSs,” summarizes lead investigator Jennifer Wargo.

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References

Original articles

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  1. Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology http://www.nature.com/nrclinonc

    Diana Romero

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  1. Diana Romero
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Correspondence to Diana Romero.

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Romero, D. B cells and TLSs facilitate a response to ICI. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 17, 195 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41571-020-0338-6

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