Identification and prognostic implications of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes--a review.

Cancer patients who have many tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) tend to have better prognoses. A relationship between prognosis and TIL or regional lymph node response is present in several malignant diseases. TIL are mainly T lymphocytes, as ascertained by immunological methods. Results of studies on T-lymphocyte subsets comprising TIL using monoclonal antibodies (OKT series and Leu series) are summarized in this review.