Logo image
Back
Tumor-Associated Tertiary Lymphoid Structures: Gene-Expression Profiling and Their Bioengineering
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Tumor-Associated Tertiary Lymphoid Structures: Gene-Expression Profiling and Their Bioengineering

Genyuan Zhu, Rana Falahat, Kui Wang, Adam Mailloux, Natalie Artzi and James J. Mulé
Frontiers in immunology, Vol.8, pp.767-767
06/30/2017
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00767
PMCID: PMC5491937
PMID: 28713385
url
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2017.00767View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) have been identified in the parenchyma and/or in the peripheral margins of human solid tumors. Uncovering the functional nature of these structures is the subject of much intensive investigation. Studies have shown a direct correlation of the presence of human tumor-localized TLS and better patient outcome (e.g., increase in overall survival) in certain solid tumor histologies, but not all. We had identified a tumor-derived immune gene-expression signature, encoding 12 distinct chemokines, which could reliably identify the presence of TLSs, of different degrees, in various human solid tumors. We are focused on understanding the influence of TLSs on the tumor microenvironment and leveraging this understanding to both manipulate the antitumor immune response and potentially enhance immunotherapy applications. Moreover, as not all human solid tumors show the presence of these lymphoid structures, we are embarking on bioengineering approaches to design and build “designer” TLSs to address, and potentially overcome, an unmet medical need in cancer patients whose tumors lack such lymphoid structures.
 antitumor bioengineering chemokines immune cells Immunology scaffolds

Details

Metrics

12 Record Views
53 Times Cited - Web of Science
Logo image