Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) develop in non-lymphoid tissues in response to chronic inflammation and cancer. TLS structure mimics secondary lymphoid organ structure. Within TLSs, CD20+ B cells form B cell-zone like the secondary lymphoid organ, and CD3+ T cells are generally found surrounding the CD20+ B cell zone. The presence of TLSs has been correlated with clinical benefits to multiple tumors, including non–small cell lung cancer
(NSCLC), colorectal cancer (CRC), ovarian cancer, and melanoma, which suggests the potential role of TLSs in cancer immunotherapy. TLSs provide the local site for antigen presentation and thus aid in generating the adaptive immune response against the specific tumor antigen. Different studies also correlated the positive response of immune checkpoint therapy and the presence of TLSs. However, the development of TLSs and their prognostic values in cancer and immunotherapy remains elusive, with the following issues requiring further study to improve our knowledge of TLS biology:
1) The developmental pathway of TLSs development.
2) The Prognostic value of TLSs in different cancers.
3) Specific markers for detecting TLSs in different tumors.
4) The role of TLS in inducing an immune response against local tumor-specific antigens and aid in immune response generated in secondary lymphoid organs.
5) TLS mechanism of inducing immune response.
6) TLS role in augmenting immune checkpoint therapy.
7) TLS generation of B cell response against cancer.
Recent studies focusing on addressing these issues will aid in advancing our understanding of TLSs and their role in cancer biology. In this Research Topic, we welcome Review, Mini-Review, and Original Research articles reporting recent efforts in the following specific topics to be covered:
• Recent advances in Knowledge concerning the development of TLS.
• The immune response of TLSs and their role in response to different immune therapies, including Immuno-checkpoint therapy.
• Role of TLS generated B cell response against cancer.
• Marker identification for TLSs and their prognostic value in cancer detection.
Manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by robust and relevant validation (clinical cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this topic.
Topic Editor Tullia Bruno is on the Scientific Advisory Board for Walking Fish Therapeutics. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject
Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) develop in non-lymphoid tissues in response to chronic inflammation and cancer. TLS structure mimics secondary lymphoid organ structure. Within TLSs, CD20+ B cells form B cell-zone like the secondary lymphoid organ, and CD3+ T cells are generally found surrounding the CD20+ B cell zone. The presence of TLSs has been correlated with clinical benefits to multiple tumors, including non–small cell lung cancer
(NSCLC), colorectal cancer (CRC), ovarian cancer, and melanoma, which suggests the potential role of TLSs in cancer immunotherapy. TLSs provide the local site for antigen presentation and thus aid in generating the adaptive immune response against the specific tumor antigen. Different studies also correlated the positive response of immune checkpoint therapy and the presence of TLSs. However, the development of TLSs and their prognostic values in cancer and immunotherapy remains elusive, with the following issues requiring further study to improve our knowledge of TLS biology:
1) The developmental pathway of TLSs development.
2) The Prognostic value of TLSs in different cancers.
3) Specific markers for detecting TLSs in different tumors.
4) The role of TLS in inducing an immune response against local tumor-specific antigens and aid in immune response generated in secondary lymphoid organs.
5) TLS mechanism of inducing immune response.
6) TLS role in augmenting immune checkpoint therapy.
7) TLS generation of B cell response against cancer.
Recent studies focusing on addressing these issues will aid in advancing our understanding of TLSs and their role in cancer biology. In this Research Topic, we welcome Review, Mini-Review, and Original Research articles reporting recent efforts in the following specific topics to be covered:
• Recent advances in Knowledge concerning the development of TLS.
• The immune response of TLSs and their role in response to different immune therapies, including Immuno-checkpoint therapy.
• Role of TLS generated B cell response against cancer.
• Marker identification for TLSs and their prognostic value in cancer detection.
Manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by robust and relevant validation (clinical cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this topic.
Topic Editor Tullia Bruno is on the Scientific Advisory Board for Walking Fish Therapeutics. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject