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High TIL grade inversely associated with mortality in primary melanoma
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Patients with primary melanoma who had a higher grade of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were at reduced risk for disease-related mortality independent of other tumor characteristics, according to study results.
Researchers assessed whether TIL were present in 3,330 invasive primary melanomas from 2,845 patients diagnosed between 1998 and 2003.
Independent predictors for nonbrisk TIL were Breslow thickness, site and histologic subtype (P≤.05). Predictors for brisk TIL were Breslow thickness, radial growth phase, age and site.
Nonbrisk and brisk TIL grades each were associated with lower AJCC tumor stage compared with TIL absence (P<.001).
After adjustments for age, sex, site and tumor stage, results showed melanoma mortality was 30% less (HR=0.7; 95% CI, 0.5-1) among patients with nonbrisk TIL and 50% less (HR=0.5; 95% CI, 0.3-0.9) among patients with brisk TIL compared with TIL absence.
“TIL grade deserves further prospective investigation to determine whether it should be included in future [American Joint Committee on Cancer] staging revisions,” the researchers wrote.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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