CELL INTELLIGENCE · 肿瘤细胞治疗研究

Head and neck cancers (HNCs) pose a significant global health challenge, with treatment complexities and profound impacts on patient quality of life. Tumor-infiltrating B cells (TIBs) within the tumor microenvironment (TME) are emerging as critical yet dual regulators of HNC immunity, exhibiting both pro- and anti-tumorigenic properties. This manuscript explores the prognostic and predictive roles of TIBs across diverse HNCs, including squamous cell carcinomas and lymphomas. TIBs enhance antitumor immunity through antibody production, antigen presentation, and the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs), which correlate with improved survival and response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Conversely, regulatory B cells contribute to immunosuppression, promoting tumor progression. Notably, high TIB infiltration, particularly within TLSs, is associated with superior outcomes in ICI-treated patients, highlighting their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. However, challenges such as data variability and limited study scales underscore the need for further investigation into TIB subpopulations and their molecular dynamics. Future research should prioritize understanding TIB interactions with other immune cells and developing novel immunotherapies, including genetic engineering and oncolytic viruses, to advance HNC treatment and optimize patient outcomes. Head and neck cancers are challenging to cure and can significantly impair one’s quality of life. This study investigates a unique form of immune cells known as B cells that reside within tumors. These cells can either help fight the cancer or, in some cases, contribute to its growth. Our study focuses on the role of B cells in treating different head and neck cancers, including squamous cell carcinoma and lymphoma. B cells help combat cancer by making antibodies, exposing cancer to other immune cells, and developing tiny immune clusters called tertiary lymphoid structures. These immune clusters are linked to better survival and stronger responses to certain cancer treatments, namely, immune checkpoint inhibitors. Our research discovered that having more of the positive B cells, especially among immune hotspots, is a good sign for patients receiving immunotherapy. However, not all B cells are helpful; some suppress the immune system and allow cancer to spread. Still, there are challenges. The information is not always consistent, and many studies are small. More research needs to be done to discover the different types of B cells and their interaction with other immune cells. Researchers are also working with new treatments, including gene-based therapeutics and virus-based treatments, to improve the prognosis of head and neck cancers.