Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes Predict SLN Status and Prognosis in Melanoma

Melanoma-specific survival rate increases with a higher TIL grade.

With the recent advent of effective biologic modifiers such as ipilimumab, the role of immune surveillance in melanoma becomes more important. One marker used to determine immune activity in melanoma is the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy samples, which has been variably associated with a favorable prognosis. Investigators in Australia assessed whether TIL grade was an independent predictor of SLN status and survival.

They measured the extent of lymphocytic infiltration in 1865 patients with a single primary melanoma >0.75 mm in thickness, using a 4-grade TIL scoring system (0 = no TIL; 3 = moderate or marked diffuse TIL infiltrate). Overall, most lesions did not show evidence of TILs; <2…

Reviewing Author

Hensin Tsao, MD, PhD

Disclosures

Consultant / advisory board Lubax; WorldCare Clinical

EquityLubax

Grant / Research support NIH; Department of Defense; American Skin Association; Piramal

Editorial boardsBritish Journal of Dermatology; Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology; Journal of Investigative Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Chair, Skin Cancer and Melanoma Committee); American Board of Dermatology (Director)