Overview
Infiltrating lobular carcinoma (ILC) is a subtype of breast cancer characterized by a distinct pattern of tumor cell infiltration. The evaluation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in breast cancer, including ILC, is gaining momentum as a prognostic and potentially predictive biomarker 1.Diagnosis
Morphological evaluation of TILs can be performed on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained tumor sections 1.
A standardized methodology for evaluating TILs is needed for integration into standard histopathological practice and clinical trials 1.Management
TILs have shown prognostic and potentially predictive value, particularly in triple-negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-overexpressing breast cancer 1.Key Recommendations
The extent of lymphocytic infiltration in tumor tissue can be assessed as a major parameter by evaluation of H&E-stained tumor sections 1. (Evidence: Moderate)
A standardized methodology for evaluating TILs is required as a prerequisite for integrating this parameter into standard histopathological practice, research settings, and clinical trials 1. (Evidence: Moderate)
The methodology provided offers a pragmatic starting point to improve consistency and reproducibility in the measurement of TILs for future studies 1. (Evidence: Expert opinion)References
1 Salgado R, Denkert C, Demaria S, Sirtaine N, Klauschen F, Pruneri G et al.. The evaluation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in breast cancer: recommendations by an International TILs Working Group 2014. Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology 2015. link