Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in breast cancer: A predictive or a prognostic marker?

Abstract

Breast cancer has not been considered as an immunogenic solid cancer type; however, recent studies demonstrate evidence of significant prognostic information that can be derived from immune cell infiltration via tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in patient tumours. The presence of TILs has been associated with increased response rates to cytotoxic chemotherapy as well as targeted therapies, leading to improved disease-free and overall survival in certain breast cancer subtypes. Accordingly, experts have developed a standardized methodology for evaluating TILs within clinical specimens in histopathological practice. An overview of a newly established practical guideline for TIL evaluatio..