Activation of B cells in Tertiary Lymphoid Structures in cancer: Anti-tumor or anti-self?

Whereas T cells in the tumor microenvironment have been the main focus as cancer controlling cells and targets of immunotherapies, B cells have recently gained strong attention. Being associated to Tertiary Lymphoid Structures (TLS) located at the vicinity of tumor nests, the fate of B cell depends on TLS maturity. In immature TLS they may evolve as regulatory B cells producing immunosuppressive cytokines and promote tumor growth. In mature TLS with a germinal center, B cells are selected, amplified, undergo affinity maturation and isotypic switching, resulting in plasma cell generation and production of anti-tumor antibodies. In that case, they are associated with longer patient’s survival and therapeutic response to immunotherapy. Identification of tumor specific, or tumor overexpressed, antigens recognized by “in situ” produced antibodies and their discrimination from self-antigens induced by ICI treatments is a major challenge to develop novel antibody-based immunotherapies.