Standardized Pathology Screening of Mature Tertiary Lymphoid Structures in Cancers

Abstract

Mature tertiary lymphoid structures (mTLSs) are organized lymphoid structures containing B lymphocytes admixed to CD23+ follicular dendritic cells. Their presence has been linked to improved survival and sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitors in several cancers, emerging as a promising pancancer biomarker. However, the requirements for any biomarker are clear methodology, proven feasibility, and reliability. In 357 patients' samples, we studied tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) parameters using multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF), hematoxylin-eosin-saffron (HES) staining, double CD20/CD23 staining, and single CD23 immunohistochemistry. The cohort included carcinomas (n = 211) and sarcomas (n = 146), gathering biopsies (n = 170), and surgical specimens (n = 187). mTLSs were defined as TLSs containing either a visible germinal center on HES staining or CD23+ follicular dendritic cells. Focusing on 40 TLSs assessed using mIF, double CD20/CD23 staining was less sensitive than mIF to assess maturity in 27.5% (n = 11/40) but was rescued by single CD23 staining in 90.9% (n = 10/11). In 97 patients, several samples (n = 240) were reviewed to characterize TLS distribution. The likelihood of finding TLSs in surgical material was 6.1 higher than in biopsy and 2.0 higher in primary samples than in metastasis after adjustment with a type of sample. Interrater agreement rates over 4 examiners were 0.65 (Fleiss kappa, 95% CI [0.46, 0.90]) for the presence of TLS and 0.90 for maturity (95% CI [0.83, 0.99]). In this study, we propose a standardized method to screen mTLSs in cancer samples using HES staining and immunohistochemistry that can be applied to all specimens.

Keywords: immune checkpoint inhibitors; immunotherapy; tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs); tumor microenvironment.