Immunosuppressive contribution of tumour-infiltrating B cells in human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and their role in chemoimmunotherapy outcome - Summary - MDSpire

Immunosuppressive contribution of tumour-infiltrating B cells in human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and their role in chemoimmunotherapy outcome

  • By

  • Giulia Milardi

  • Barbara Franceschini

  • Chiara Camisaschi

  • Simone Puccio

  • Guido Costa

  • Cristiana Soldani

  • Paolo Uva

  • Davide Cangelosi

  • Roberta Carriero

  • Luca Lambroia

  • Antonella Cammarota

  • Giulio Lodetti-Zangrandi

  • Ines Malenica

  • Marco Erreni

  • Ilaria Montali

  • Tiziano Lottini

  • Chiara Raggi

  • Paolo Kunderfranco

  • Michela Anna Polidoro

  • Alessio Aghemo

  • Rita Balsano

  • Tiziana Pressiani

  • Salvatore Piscuoglio

  • Luca Di Tommaso

  • Guido Torzilli

  • Lorenza Rimassa

  • Enrico Lugli

  • Barbara Cassani

  • Ana Lleo

  • June 1, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To investigate the role of B lymphocytes in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) and their implications for immunotherapy response, particularly in relation to treatment outcomes.

Key Findings:
  • High densities of B cells in peritumoural areas correlate with improved disease-free survival, suggesting a potential role in therapeutic strategies.
  • Tumour-infiltrating B cells are predominantly immature and functionally suppressed, indicating a need for targeted interventions.
  • Primary tumour cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts drive B-cell dysfunction through IL-6 and TGF-β pathways, highlighting critical targets for therapy.
  • BAFFR+ B cells in peripheral blood predict response to chemoimmunotherapy, serving as a potential biomarker for treatment efficacy.
Interpretation:

The study highlights the complex role of B cells in the iCCA microenvironment, suggesting that their presence can be both beneficial and detrimental depending on their state and location, which may inform future therapeutic strategies.

Limitations:
  • The study did not involve patient participation in design or recruitment, which may limit the relevance of findings.
  • The sample size may limit the generalizability of findings, and potential biases in patient selection or data interpretation should be acknowledged.
Conclusion:

Targeting B-cell interactions within the TME could enhance immunotherapy efficacy in iCCA, with B-cell phenotypes serving as potential biomarkers for treatment stratification, aligning with the study's objective.

Original Source(s)

Immunosuppressive contribution of tumour-infiltrating B cells in human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and their role in chemoimmunotherapy outcome

  • by Giulia Milardi, Barbara Franceschini, Chiara Camisaschi, Simone Puccio, Guido Costa, Cristiana Soldani, Paolo Uva, Davide Cangelosi, Roberta Carriero, Luca Lambroia, Antonella Cammarota, Giulio Lodetti-Zangrandi, Ines Malenica, Marco Erreni, Ilaria Montali, Tiziano Lottini, Chiara Raggi, Paolo Kunderfranco, Michela Anna Polidoro, Alessio Aghemo, Rita Balsano, Tiziana Pressiani, Salvatore Piscuoglio, Luca Di Tommaso, Guido Torzilli, Lorenza Rimassa, Enrico Lugli, Barbara Cassani, Ana Lleo

  • June 1, 2026

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