New discovery could be a step towards future immunotherapy for brain cancer

In 10 seconds? Researchers have found novel structures near brain tumours that can be used to provoke an immune response against cancer cells. This could open the way for more effective treatment with fewer side effects in the future.

What has been found? Scientists call them tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS). They are usually formed at chronic inflammation sites and can be used to trigger our immune system to destroy tumour and virus-infected cells. This is the first report of lymph node-resembling entities in the brain. Interestingly, these TLS were only observed in the tumoural tissue and not in healthy brain tissue of brain cancer patients.