Journal Article Epublish 12 citations
PubMed: 39858472 DOI: 10.3390/biom15010078
Early-Stage Luminal B-like Breast Cancer Exhibits a More Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment than Luminal A-like Breast Cancer.
Biomolecules 15(1)
Authors: Tânia Moura, Olga Caramelo, Isabel Silva, Sandra Silva, Manuela Gonçalo, Maria Antónia Portilha, João N Moreira, Ana M Gil, Paula Laranjeira, Artur Paiva
Affiliations
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Department of Clinical Pathology, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra, Avenida Bissaya Barreto, Bloco Hospitalar de Celas, nº 205, 3000-076 Coimbra, Portugal. Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
- Gynecology Department, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra, Praceta Prof. Mota Pinto, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal.
- Flow Cytometry Unit, Department of Clinical Pathology, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra, Avenida Bissaya Barreto, Bloco Hospitalar de Celas, nº 205, 3000-076 Coimbra, Portugal.
- Medical Imaging Department, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra, Praceta Prof. Mota Pinto, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal.
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal.
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal.
- University of Coimbra, CIBB, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
- CICECO─Aveiro Institute of Materials, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Group of Environmental Genetics of Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine (FMUC), University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-504 Coimbra, Portugal.
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), 3000-061 Coimbra, Portugal.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Polo das Ciências da Saúde, Sub-Unidade 1, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
- Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, ESTESC-Coimbra Health School, Ciências Biomédicas Laboratoriais, Rua 5 de Outubro, 3046-854 Coimbra, Portugal.
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous malignant disease with a varying prognosis and is classified into four molecular subtypes. It remains one of the most prevalent cancers globally, with the tumor microenvironment playing a critical role in disease progression and patient outcomes.
METHODS
This study evaluated tumor samples from 40 female patients with luminal A and B breast cancer, utilizing flow cytometry to phenotypically characterize the immune cells and tumor cells present within the tumor tissue.
RESULTS
The luminal B-like tumor samples exhibited increased infiltration of CD4 cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), and Th17 cells and decreased levels of NK cells, γδ T cells, Th1 cells, and follicular T cells, which is indicative of a more immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that luminal B-like tumors have a microenvironment that is less supportive of effective anti-tumor immune responses compared to luminal A tumors. This study enhances the understanding of the immunological differences between luminal subtypes of breast cancer and identifies potential new therapeutic targets and biomarkers that could drive advancements in precision medicine for breast cancer management.
MeSH
Cells, T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory, Monocytes, Breast Neoplasms, Neoplasms, Th1 Cells, Breast, Tumor Microenvironment