Clinical potential and challenges of spatially profiling tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in early-stage breast cancer

PLoS Med. 2026 Mar 10;23(3):e1004979. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004979. eCollection 2026 Mar.

Abstract

Digitally automated spatial profiling of immune-tumor cell interactions using multispectral immunofluorescence holds promise as a biomarker to predict outcomes in early-stage breast cancer, but prospective validation and harmonization with existing biomarkers is necessary before clinical adoption.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Breast Neoplasms* / immunology
  • Breast Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating* / immunology
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating* / metabolism
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating* / pathology
  • Neoplasm Staging

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor