Finding the right help in the tumor microenvironment

Abstract

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) contain substantial numbers of CD4 + T cells mediating pro- and antitumor functions. While CD4 + Tregs are well characterized and known to promote tumor immune evasion, the fingerprint of CD4 + Th cells that recognizes tumor antigens and serves to restrict disease progression has remained poorly discriminated. In this issue of the JCI , Duhen et al. analyzed tumors from patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma or colon carcinoma and identified a unique programmed cell death 1–positive, ICOS1-positive (PD-1 + ICOS1 + ) subpopulation of CD4 + TILs highly enriched for the ability to recognize tumor-associated antigens. These cells localized proximally to MHC II + antigen-presenting cells and CD8 + T cells within tumors, where they appeared to proliferate and function almost exclusively as Th cells. These potentially therapeutic Th cells can be monitored for patient prognosis and are expected to have substantial utility in developing personalized adoptive cell– and vaccine-based immunotherapeutic approaches for improving patient outcomes.

Comprehensive assessment of immune context and immunotherapy response via noninvasive imaging in gastric cancer

“…The TIME is increasingly recognized as the key regulator of tumor progression and major determinant of all types of anticancer therapy (1-3). Tumor-infiltrating lymphoid and myeloid cells play crucial roles in the immune context (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9). Moreover, considering the increasing application of immunotherapy in cancer, a thorough understanding of the immune status of patients is useful to evaluate the response to treatment (6,8,18,19).…”

“…A growing body of literature highlights its crucial role in cancer progression and therapeutic responses (1)(2)(3). In particular, changes in abundance of lymphoid and myeloid cells, both as main components of the TIME, are closely correlated with prognosis and immunotherapy response in various cancers (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9). Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common malignancy and the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide (10).…”

Hepatocellular Carcinoma and the Multifaceted Relationship with Its Microenvironment: Attacking the Hepatocellular Carcinoma Defensive Fortress

“…The efficient eradication of tumor cells heavily relies on the presence of CD4+ T cells [115]. Their absence can result in a decline in both the quantity and efficacy of tumor-specific T cells [116].…”

Insight on common forms of cutaneous head and neck carcinoma (Review)

“…The purpose of peptide-based vaccines is to stimulate the body's immune system. After the administration of the vaccine, the antigens are taken up and processed by the antigen-presenting cells (53). The antigen is then delivered via the T-cell receptor (TCR)/major histocompatibility complex (MHC) complex to CD8+ T-cells (54).…”