The many flavors of tumor-associated B cells

Little is known on the role of distinct B-cell subtypes in human malignancies. We have recently performed a multiplex characterization of B cells in patient-derived tumor-associated tissues, documenting the activation and antigen-driven differentiation of B cells in metastatic lymph nodes and neoplastic lesions. Here we discuss the role of B lymphocytes as antigen-presenting cells and catalysts of T cell-based immunotherapies in view of these findings.