Tumour infiltrating lymphocytes: insights into tumour immunology and potential therapeutic implications

High number of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes is associated with apoptosis in non-small cell lung carcinoma

“…Although tumour-infiltrating mononuclear cells, i.e. T-lymphocytes, macrophages and Bcells, are known to be deficient in some of their central functions (19), they still represent immunosurveillance in the malignant tissue and produce significant amounts of cytokines that regulate tumour cell proliferation and their metastatic activity (5-7). Cytotoxic CD8+ T-cells, an important subset of TIL, have two major effector mechanisms to induce death in target cells, both of which involve activation of the caspase cascade and, subsequently, apoptosis (9).…”

“…There is substantial evidence to indicate that TIL are functionally deficient in terms of their capacity to release cytokines and mediate antitumor cytotoxicity (19). In addition to this, immune escape of TIL by apoptosis is a mechanism possibly leading to tumour growth (20).…”

Effect of Pre-Operative Short Course Famotidine on Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Colorectal Cancer: A Double Blind, Placebo Controlled, Prospective Randomized Study

“…They have more potent cytotoxic abilities than peripheral blood lymphocytes [5]. However, attempts to use these lymphocytes as anticancer agents have yielded poor results because of the high concentration of suppressor molecules such as histamine in the interstitium of the tumors [6 -8].…”