In situ detection of PD-1+ CXCL13+ CD8+ T cells in non-small cell lung cancer - Presented at: AACR 2019

Recent reports identified one subset of intratumoral CD8 + cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that are PD-1 high with distinct molecular and functional properties. Strikingly, these cells produce very high levels of CXCL13 mRNA and protein, which may mediate immune recruitment. Furthermore, the presence of PD-1 high CD8 + T lymphocytes are strongly predictive for both response and survival in NSCLC patients treated with PD-1 blockade. Thus, it is of great value to develop a practical biomarker assay to specifically detect these cells in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor biopsies.