Multiplexed single-cell and spatial profiling reveal B cells and tertiary lymphoid structures as prognostic indicators in pleural mesothelioma
Menée à partir de l'analyse, par cytométrie en flux en haute dimension (HDCyto) et imagerie multiplexée, d'échantillons tumoraux prélevés sur des patients atteints d'un mésothéliome pleural, cette étude met en évidence une corrélation entre l'infiltration de la tumeur par des lymphocytes B et des lymphocytes T CD4+, la formation de structures lymphoïdes tertiaires et le pronostic
Background : Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is an orphan disease with poor prognosis. While T cell dynamics in the tumor microenvironment (TME) have been extensively studied, the role of B cells remains poorly characterized. Tumor-infiltrating B cells, particularly when organized into tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), have been associated with improved outcomes of patients with cancer.
Methods : In this study, high-dimensional flow cytometry (HDCyto) and high-plex imaging were applied to analyze fresh-frozen and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) PM tumor samples, enabling a comprehensive immune profiling of the TME.
Results : We identified 15 distinct immune cell subsets and stratified tumors into three subgroups with significantly different survival outcomes. Longer survival correlated with increased T and B cell infiltration, with B cells and CD4+ T cells forming TLS in specific cases.
Conclusions : These findings underscore the heterogeneity of PM tumors and highlight the critical role of B cells and TLS in shaping anti-tumor immunity and influencing patient prognosis.
British Journal of Cancer , article en libre accès, 2026