Scientists at Johns Hopkins Cancer Center Discover a Lymph Node-Like Structure with the Potential to Treat Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Cancer Center recently discovered lymph node-like structures in liver tumors that were present after presurgical immunotherapy. A press release about the finding was recently published in MedicalXpress. The team was cautiously optimistic that these tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), may be critical in the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Their mission was to find out why.

All evidence pointed to the fact that tumors were reduced if they had a higher amount of TSL after undergoing immunotherapy. There was also less risk of recurrence.
However, tumors that did not have TSL did not shrink and had an increased risk of recurrence after removal.

About Tertiary Lymphoid Structures (TLS)

The structures consist of immune T and B cells that have been found in certain patients who received treatment through immune checkpoint inhibitors. These substances reactivate the anti-cancer immunity found in the body and appear to be associated with an improved response to treatment.

The researchers noted that patients who responded to immunotherapy carried TLS.
To complete their study, the researchers must still determine how these unnamed structures are involved in an immune response. However, the team did identify a form of the structures that had been previously unknown.

Upon further examination, the team found that the structures carried B cells that fight infections and are surrounded on the outside by T cells. After the researchers examined biopsies before and following immunotherapy, they observed that the patients with these structures carried precursors of TLS before they began their therapy.

According to Dr. Daniel Shu, at Johns Hopkins, the sites that previously held the tumors were examined. Dr. Shu found the TLS remaining at the site had been transformed while an additional form of TLS was identified. The team had not seen these forms previously. To clarify, B cells were dispersed and T cell zones, that identify antigens, were retained.  

Dr. Shu acknowledges that they are faced with major challenges. Their hypothesis is that the form of late-stage TLS they observed may be associated with the benefit the researchers uncovered. The doctor commented that other forms of tumors may be targeted as the TLS reported by his team was also identified in two additional studies.

Check out the original study here.

cancer treatment hepatocellular carcinoma liver cancer research treatment

Last modified: November 1, 2024