Ex vivo perfusion of human lymph nodes

In a recent study published in The Journal of Pathology, Barrow-McGee et al described a feasibility study of a real-time ex vivo perfusion model of the axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) from breast cancer patients for immune-oncological investigations. The study showed that perfused ALNs remain viable for up to 24 h, and perfusion of therapeutic antibodies confirmed the ability to reach ALN-resident cells. This work is a highly encouraging demonstration of feasibility for further research into lymphatic system function, with applications to immune function, vaccinations, and cancer. (c) 2020 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.