Overview
Lymph node (LN) metastasis is a hallmark of disease progression in most solid tumors and remains one of the most consistent predictors of poor prognosis and reduced overall survival. In particular, tumor-draining lymph nodes (tdLNs)—the first immunological and anatomical hubs encountered by metastatic cells—are increasingly recognized as active participants in the spread of cancer rather than passive conduits. Emerging evidence suggests that tdLNs play a pivotal role in shaping systemic immune responses, often promoting immune tolerance that facilitates metastasis. Notably, the effectiveness of immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), has been linked to immune priming events occurring within tdLNs, with neoadjuvant ICB strategies showing superior outcomes compared to adjuvant approaches in several cancer types. This underscores the importance of the dynamic and bidirectional communication between the primary tumor, tdLNs, and systemic compartments—both immune and non-immune—in influencing disease trajectory.
This initiative will convene a monthly virtual forum series bringing together leading experts in lymph node biology, immunology, and cancer—from experimental scientists and clinicians to computational and in silico modelers—in a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment. The series will:
- Identify gaps and opportunities in the basic understanding of tdLN biology and immunology that are critical for empowering clinical decision-making.
- Enable scientists to address clinically relevant questions and translate mechanistic insights into actionable strategies.
- Foster collaborations between clinicians and basic researchers, including identifying opportunities for access to patient samples, ensuring their optimal and efficient use by biologists, and aligning sample acquisition with the most pressing scientific questions.
Through these discussions, the forum will evaluate the current state of the science surrounding the tumor–tdLN–systemic dialogue across cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis; define key technical challenges; and explore innovative strategies to disrupt tumor-promoting communication or reprogram tdLNs to enhance anti-tumor immunity and block metastatic progression.