[Association Between Tertiary Lymphoid Structures and Intratumoral Microbiota in Lung Cancer].

Abstract

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, underscoring the need for precise biomarkers and novel therapeutic strategies. Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) are clinically relevant because they are associated with prognosis and responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). In parallel, intratumoral microbiota have been recognized as modulators of antitumor immunity, and recent studies suggest that specific microbial features may be linked to TLS formation. This review summarizes current evidence on TLS and intratumoral microbiota in lung cancer and discusses how their interplay may reprogram the tumor microenvironment toward an immune-inflamed ( "hot tumor") phenotype. We also highlight the potential of the intratumoral microbiota-TLS axis as a source of biomarkers and therapeutic targets.