T-cell mesenchymal transition represents a potential pathogenic mechanism of female cancer-related lymphedema.

Early human evidence such as case series or small samples is exploring possible benefits.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Cancer-related lymphedema (CRL), the most common type of secondary lymphedema, seriously reduces the life quality of cancer patients. In-depth studies on the pathogenesis of CRL are limited, impeding the development of therapeutic approaches. In this study, an analysis of intercellular heterogeneity reveals a trend towards fibrosis in skin cell subpopulations and identifies the phenomenon of T-cell mesenchymal transition (TcMT). T cells with a mesenchymal phenotype-fibroblast-like (Fib-like) T cells and myofibroblast-like (Myofibro-like) T cells-exhibit a unique fibrotic phenotype and impaired immune function. Furthermore, PDGFRB expression by Fib-like T cells in the affected skin is likely to influence disease severity by regulating TcMT. Additionally, we observe the manifestation of the fibrotic phenotype of T cells in single-cell data from the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of CRL patients, suggesting that TcMT may be a pathological feature and potential therapeutic target of CRL and providing deep insights into disease pathophysiology.

Evidence level

Early human evidence such as case series or small samples is exploring possible benefits.

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