Evaluating Tertiary Lymphoid Structure (TLS) Heterogeneity in the Human Tumor Microenvironment

Presenter: Dr. Tullia Bruno 

Dr. Bruno's research program centers on interrogating the interplay of B and T cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) within tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS). Further, she is interested in the role of B cells and TLS in cancer progression. Her lab utilizes a multi-level approach to understanding B cells and TLS in multiple cancer types (HNSCC, NSCLC, ovarian, melanoma, colorectal cancer [CRC]). This includes (but is not limited to), single cell RNAseq, multispectral imaging (Vectra and CODEX), spatial transcriptomics (Nanostring Digital Spatial Profiler), spectral cytometry (Cytek Aurora), and microscale in vitro assays. Dr. Bruno's group are deeply interested in how different TMEs influence TLS heterogeneity and how this heterogeneity impacts tumor-specific immune responses (in particular, tumor-specific antibody production and antigen presentation by intratumoral B cells). Further, they aim to understand how to harness new immunotherapies for increased TLS formation and maturity. In summary, Dr. Bruno's research lab has an overt focus on studying immunity within cancer patients, which makes her research highly translational with the potential for future clinical trials targeting B cells.  

Background reading:

• B cell signatures and tertiary lymphoid structures contribute to outcome in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
• New predictors for immunotherapy responses sharpen our view of the tumour microenvironment