A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Tertiary lymphoid structures in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A multi-institutional study
Authors: Almangush, Alhadi; Ruuskanen, Miia; Hagström, Jaana; Kosma, Veli-Matti; Mäkitie, Antti A.; Leivo, Ilmo
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Publishing place: MUNICH
Publication year: 2025
Journal: Pathology - Research and Practice
Journal name in source: Pathology - Research and Practice
Journal acronym: PATHOL RES PRACT
Article number: 155789
Volume: 266
Number of pages: 5
ISSN: 0344-0338
eISSN: 1618-0631
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prp.2024.155789(external)
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prp.2024.155789(external)
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/484580464(external)
Background: Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) associate with prognosis of many malignancies. However, the clinical significance of TLSs is not well-elucidated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients.
Material and methods: In this whole population-based multicenter study, a total of 115 patients treated for NPC were included. The patients were treated at the five Finnish university hospitals. TLSs were assessed in routine hematoxylin and eosin (HE)-stained sections.
Results: Presence of TLSs associates significantly with improved survival in NPC. Absence of TLSs had a significant association with a poor disease-specific survival of NPC with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.96 (95 % CI 1.09-3.53, P = 0.025) in the multivariable analysis. Similarly, absence of TLSs associated with worse overall survival with a HR of 1.68 (95 % CI 1.02-2.75, P = 0.040).
Conclusion: TLSs seem to be associated with prognosis of NPC patients. Having TLSs in NPC tumors correlates with good survival. The assessment of TLSs could aid in understanding the clinical behavior and in planning the treatment of NPC.
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Funding information in the publication:
Finnish Cancer Society, Turku University Hospital Fund, Finska Läkaresällskapet, Maritza and Reino Salonen Foundation, K. Albin Johansson Foundation, Finnish Dental Society Apollonia, Helsinki University Hospital Research Fund, and Sigrid Jusélius Foundation.
