A Spatial Multi-Omic Framework Identifies Gliomas Permissive to TIL Expansion

TL;DR

This study identifies factors in gliomas that allow T cells to expand, which could improve immunotherapy for brain cancer.

Contribution

The paper introduces a spatial multi-omic framework to identify gliomas suitable for TIL expansion.

Findings

IL7R expression and perivascular immune clustering correlate with successful TIL expansion.

TIL− tumors show neuronal lineage signatures and immunosuppressive markers like TOX and FERMT1.

The profiling method is being used in the GIANT clinical trial for glioblastoma and immune-excluded cancers.

Abstract

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, recently approved by the FDA for melanoma, is an emerging modality for cell-based immunotherapy. However, its application in immunologically “cold” tumors such as glioblastoma remains limited due to sparse T cell infiltration, antigenic heterogeneity, and a suppressive tumor microenvironment. To identify genomic and spatial determinants of TIL expandability, we performed integrated, multimodal profiling of high-grade gliomas using spectral flow cytometry, TCR sequencing, single-cell RNA-seq, Xenium in situ transcriptomics, and CODEX spatial proteomics.

Comparative analysis of TIL-generating (TIL+) versus non-generating (TIL−) tumors revealed that IL7Rexpression, structured perivascular immune clustering, and tumor-intrinsic metabolic programs such as ACSS3 were associated with successful TIL expansion. In contrast, TIL−tumors were enriched for neuronal lineage signatures, immunosuppressive transcripts including TOX and FERMT1, and tumor-connected macrophages.

This study defines spatial and molecular correlates of TIL manufacturing success and establishes a genomics-enabled selection platform for adoptive T cell therapy. The profiling approach is now being prospectively implemented in the GIANT clinical trial (NCT06816927), supporting its translational relevance and scalability across glioblastoma and other immune-excluded cancers.

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