The paper provide an overview of a comprehensive study using integrated spatial transcriptomic profiling to characterize the cellular features of tumor-associated tertiary lymphoid structures (TA-TLSs) across various cancer types. The research constructed a pan-cancer spatial atlas of TA-TLSs at different maturation states, revealing that IgG+ plasma cells enrich in mature TLSs. Key findings include the identification of CCL19+ perivascular cells that function as lymphoid tissue organizer (LTo) cells promoting TA-TLS formation, and the observation that arterial endothelial cells acquire a high endothelial venule (HEV)-like phenotype that enhances immune cell recruitment. The study suggests that these cellular components and the underlying mechanisms of TA-TLS formation and maturation offer potential targets for cancer immunotherapy aimed at transforming "cold" tumors into immunogenic ones.

References:

• Li X, Chu X, Xu W, et al. Integrated spatial transcriptomic profiling to dissect the cellular characteristics of tumor-associated tertiary lymphoid structures[J]. Cell Reports, 2025, 44(9).