Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment: diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic relevance.
Keywords:
Tumor microenvironment, Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs), Immune evasion, Prognosis, Inflammatory responseAbstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) constitutes a complex ecosystem composed not only of neoplastic cells but also of the extracellular matrix, blood vessels, immune cells, and multiple soluble factors that interact dynamically. Among these components, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) stand out as central mediators of the antitumor immune response, whose presence, density, distribution, and phenotype have been associated with improved clinical outcomes in several malignancies. Nevertheless, their histopathological assessment still lacks diagnostic standardization. This review analyzed studies published over the past five years, emphasizing the mechanisms of tumor immune evasion and the role of the inflammatory response in cancer progression. The evidence suggests that detailed characterization of TILs may assist in prognostic stratification, in selecting candidates for immunotherapy, and in deepening the understanding of immune–tumor interactions within the TME. The integration of such analyses into routine pathological practice represents a significant advance in oncology, with the potential to drive more personalized and effective therapeutic strategies.
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