Prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in melanoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Oncoimmunology. 2019 Apr 3;8(7):1593806. doi: 10.1080/2162402X.2019.1593806. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are associated with prognosis in various tumors. However, it remains controversial whether the presence of TILs is related to an improved prognosis in melanoma. This meta-analysis confirmed the favorable prognostic role of the CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, FOXP3+, and CD20+ TILs in the overall survival of melanoma patients and found an association between the TILs present and improved overall survival. Additionally, subgroup analysis demonstrated that brisk TILs were obviously associated with OS, RFS and DSS/MSS. Thus, TILs may be a predictive biomarker in melanoma. This analysis will provide more insight into the study of TILs and predictive biomarker.

Keywords: Melanoma; prognostic biomarkers; systematic review; tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs).

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Grants and funding

This study was supported by China Postdoctoral Science Foundation [No.2017M613008]; National Natural Science Foundation of China [No.81702295, No.81760554, No.81602029, No.81660389, No.81460356].