[HTML][HTML] Spatial computation of intratumoral T cells correlates with survival of patients with pancreatic cancer

JL Carstens, P Correa de Sampaio, D Yang… - Nature …, 2017 - nature.com
Nature communications, 2017nature.com
The exact nature and dynamics of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) immune
composition remains largely unknown. Desmoplasia is suggested to polarize PDAC
immunity. Therefore, a comprehensive evaluation of the composition and distribution of
desmoplastic elements and T-cell infiltration is necessary to delineate their roles. Here we
develop a novel computational imaging technology for the simultaneous evaluation of eight
distinct markers, allowing for spatial analysis of distinct populations within the same section …
Abstract
The exact nature and dynamics of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) immune composition remains largely unknown. Desmoplasia is suggested to polarize PDAC immunity. Therefore, a comprehensive evaluation of the composition and distribution of desmoplastic elements and T-cell infiltration is necessary to delineate their roles. Here we develop a novel computational imaging technology for the simultaneous evaluation of eight distinct markers, allowing for spatial analysis of distinct populations within the same section. We report a heterogeneous population of infiltrating T lymphocytes. Spatial distribution of cytotoxic T cells in proximity to cancer cells correlates with increased overall patient survival. Collagen-I and αSMA+ fibroblasts do not correlate with paucity in T-cell accumulation, suggesting that PDAC desmoplasia may not be a simple physical barrier. Further exploration of this technology may improve our understanding of how specific stromal composition could impact T-cell activity, with potential impact on the optimization of immune-modulatory therapies.
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