| Home > Publications database > Tumor-infiltrating CD8+Ki-67+ and CD8+LAG-3+ T cells are associated with improved patient survival in retroperitoneal dedifferentiated liposarcomas and leiomyosarcomas. |
| Journal Article | DKFZ-2026-01482 |
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2026
Academic Press
Orlando, Fla.
Abstract: Tumor-infiltrating immune cells play a fundamental role in shaping patient prognosis across many cancers. Retroperitoneal dedifferentiated liposarcomas (DDLPS) and leiomyosarcomas (LMS) are associated with poor prognosis, therefore, a deeper understanding of the immune landscape in these tumors is warranted to identify novel prognostic biomarkers and immunotherapeutic targets. In this exploratory study, we analyzed spatial organization, frequency, and proportions of CD8+ T cell (including activated, proliferating, and exhausted phenotypes), T helper, and macrophage subsets, and B cells in primary treatment-naive retroperitoneal DDLPS (n = 22) and LMS tissues (n = 10) using classical and multiplex immunohistochemistry. CD8+LAG-3+ T cells comprised the highest proportion of all analyzed CD8+ subsets. Their elevated density was associated with improved overall survival (OS). Moreover, higher density of CD8+Ki-67+ T cells was linked to better OS and tended to independently predict OS. Interestingly, enhanced density of regulatory T cells was associated with favorable OS. Densities and proportions of T cell subsets did not significantly differ between DDLPS and LMS. A lower density of M2-like macrophages (CD68+CD163+) was linked to better progression-free survival (PFS) and tended to serve as an independent prognostic factor. Invasive margin revealed distinct prognostic patterns compared to tumor core, where high levels of CD8+Ki-67+TCF1+ were linked to better PFS and elevated proportions of CD8+GrzB+ and CD3+T-Bet+ T cells were associated with inferior PFS. These findings highlight the clinical relevance of immune infiltration in retroperitoneal DDLPS and LMS. Moreover, they support the rationale for further exploration of the immune architecture for prognostic biomarkers and development of targeted immunotherapeutic strategies to improve the clinical outcomes of the patients.
Keyword(s): CD8(+) T cells ; Dedifferentiated liposarcoma ; Leiomyosarcoma ; Retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma ; Tumor microenvironment
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