Journal article

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte function predicts response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer

JC Huei Kong, GR Guerra, RM Millen, S Roth, H Xu, PJ Neeson, PK Darcy, MH Kershaw, S Sampurno, J Malaterre, DSH Liu, TD Pham, V Narasimhan, M Wang, YK Huang, K Visvanathan, J McCormick, AC Lynch, S Warrier, M Michael Show all

JCO Precision Oncology | AMER SOC CLINICAL ONCOLOGY | Published : 2018

Open access

Abstract

Purpose The presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in tumors is superior to conventional pathologic staging in predicting patient outcome. However, their presence does not define TIL functionality. Here we developed an assay that tests TIL cytotoxicity in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer before definitive treatment, identifying those who will obtain a pathologic complete response (pCR). We also used the assay to demonstrate the rescue of TIL function after checkpoint inhibition blockade (CIB). Patients and Methods Thirty-four consecutive patients were identified initially, with successful completion of the assay before surgery in those 17 patients who underwent full tr..

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