Role of chemokines in breast cancer

Unveiling the Immune Microenvironment's Role in Breast Cancer: A Glimpse into Promising Frontiers

Breast cancer (BC), one of the most widespread and devastating diseases affecting women worldwide, presents a significant public health challenge. This review explores the emerging frontiers of research focused on deciphering the intricate interplay between BC cells and the immune microenvironment. Understanding the role of the immune system in BC is critical as it holds promise for novel therapeutic approaches and precision medicine strategies. This review delves into the current literature regarding the immune microenvironment's contribution to BC initiation, progression, and metastasis. It examines the complex mechanisms by which BC cells interact with various immune cell populations, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Furthermore, this review highlights the impact of immune-related factors, such as cytokines and immune checkpoint molecules. Additionally, this comprehensive analysis sheds light on the potential biomarkers associated with the immune response in BC, enabling early diagnosis and prognostic assessment. The therapeutic implications of targeting the immune microenvironment are also explored, encompassing immunotherapeutic strategies and combination therapies to enhance treatment efficacy. The significance of this review lies in its potential to pave the way for novel therapeutic interventions, providing clinicians and researchers with essential knowledge to design targeted and personalized treatment regimens for BC patients.

CXCL12 and CXCR4 as Potential Early Biomarkers for Luminal A and Luminal B Subtypes of Breast Cancer

Purpose

Breast cancer is the most common type of malignancy in women. Factors that increase the risk of occurrence include chronic inflammation, with chemokines as its mediators. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine the diagnostic utility of CXCL12 and CXCR4 as modern tumor markers in patients with early-stage luminal A and luminal B subtype of breast cancer and also to compare the results with the routinely used marker - CA 15-3.

Patients and Methods

The study included 100 patients with early breast cancer of luminal A and B subtypes, 50 women with benign breast lesion and 50 healthy women. The levels of CXCL12 and CXCR4 concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), comparative marker CA 15-3 - by electrochemiluminescence method (ECLIA).

Results

Concentrations of CXCL12 were significantly lower, while CXCR4 and CA 15-3 - significantly higher among patients with early-stage breast cancer than healthy women. CXCL12 also showed lower concentrations among fibroadenoma patients in comparison to healthy women, while CXCR4 - lower concentrations among fibroadenoma patients than cancer group. CXCL12 showed significantly higher values of sensitivity (79%), specificity (82%), positive predictive value (89.72%), negative predictive value (80%), diagnostic accuracy (80%) and diagnostic power (AUC = 0.8196) in the whole breast cancer group compared to the CA 15-3 marker (58%; 72%; 80.56%; 46.15%, 62.67%, 0.6434, resp.). Analysis of combined parameters resulted in increased sensitivity, negative predictive value and power of the test with a slight decrease in positive predictive value and a more significant decrease in specificity, reaching the best values for the three-parameter test CXCL12+CXCR4+CA15-3 (96%; 85.71%; AUC = 0.8812; 78.69%; 48%, resp.).

Conclusion

The results indicate the preliminary usefulness of CXCL12 and CXCR4 as early biomarkers in the diagnosis of breast cancer, especially in the combined panel with CA 15-3.

Dendritic Cell-Based Immunity: Screening of Dendritic Cell Subsets in Breast Cancer-Bearing Mice

Background

Breast cancer (BC) is the most devastating disease, particularly the lethal invasive form. It is the most underlying cause of death among women worldwide. The expansion of BC is controlled by a variety of alterations in the tumor cells themselves, in addition to the state of the immune system, which has a direct influence on the tumor microenvironment. Numerous receptors expressed by T-cells interact with ligands on antigen-presenting cells to provide activation signals results in mounting effector anti-tumor T-cell responses. On the other hand, there is a dearth of information about the actual interactions and reactions of T-cells and dendritic cells (DCs) all through the progression of tumor development.

Aim

Immune system response against BC was investigated through tumor induction in mice. The size and volume of the tumor were calculated. Moreover, the phenotypical profile of T-cells and DCs from lymph nodes (LN) and spleens of BC-bearing mice was investigated. In addition, the levels of Transforming growth factor-β, Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), Interleukin IL-2, IL-10, IL-4, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were determined.

Materials and Methods

MDA231 cells were utilized to induce BC in 30 white BALB/C mice, whereas the other 30 mice acted as healthy controls and were not treated with any cancer-causing agents. The impact of malignancy was evaluated using flow cytometry based on the marking surface molecules, as well as the titer of specific cytokines of the mice's LN culture using the ELISA method. These cytokines included transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), IFN-γ, IL-2, IL -10, IL -4, IL -12, and TNF-α.

Results

The findings showed that the maturation of DCs was inhibited, followed by an accumulation of immature DCs. These immature DCs increase the release of TGF-β and cytokines like IL-10 and inhibit the release of IFN-γ and IL-12 in the culture supernatant of nodal lymph and spleen suspension of BC-bearing mice compared to control. In addition, there was a low expression of CD80 and CD86 on DCs, which indicates a low maturation process.

Conclusion

According to the findings, the tumor microenvironment may have been responsible for preventing the maturation of DCs. This, in turn, weakened the immune response and facilitated the ability of the tumor to proliferate. Furthermore, the tumor microenvironment increased the number of immature DCs by inhibiting their stimulation by overexpression of TGF-β-produced by regulatory T lymphocytes and stimulation of tumor cells. In addition, the tumor microenvironment stimulated the secretion of cytokines such as IL-10, and CD4 and decreased the secretion of IFN-γ-and IL-12 in tumor-induced mice cultured LN and spleen.

CXC ELR-Positive Chemokines as Diagnostic and Prognostic Markers for Breast Cancer Patients

As the most common type of malignant lesison, breast cancer is a leading challenge for clinicians. Currently, diagnosis is based on self-examination and imaging studies that require confirmation by tissue biopsy. However, there are no easily accessible diagnostic tools that can serve as diagnostic and prognostic markers for breast cancer patients. One of the possible candidates for such markers is a group of chemokines that are closely implicated in each stage of tumorigenesis. Many researchers have noted the potential of this molecule group to become tumor markers and have tried to establish their clinical utility. In this work, we summarize the results obtained by scientists on the usefulness of the ELR-positive CXC group of chemokines in ancillary diagnosis of breast cancer.

A Pilot Study on Biochemical Profile of Follicular Fluid in Breast Cancer Patients

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common type of cancer among women in almost all countries worldwide and is one of the oncological pathologies for which is indicated fertility preservation, a type of procedure used to help keep a person's ability to have children. Follicular fluid (FF) is a major component of oocyte microenvironment, which is involved in oocyte growth, follicular maturation, and in communication between germ and somatic cells; furthermore, it accumulates all metabolites during oocytes growth. To obtain information about changes on fertility due to cancer, we aimed at investigating potential biomarkers to discriminate between FF samples obtained from 16 BC patients and 10 healthy women undergoing in vitro fertilization treatments. An NMR-based metabolomics approach was performed to investigate the FF metabolic profiles; ELISA and western blotting assays were used to investigate protein markers of oxidative and inflammatory stress, which are processes closely related to cancer. Our results seem to suggest that FFs of BC women display some significant metabolic alterations in comparison to healthy controls, and these variations are also related with tumor staging.

Upregulated X-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (XCL2) is associated with poor prognosis and increased immune infiltration in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is one of the most popular malignant carcinomas in the genitourinary system. As a novel tumor-related gene, X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2 (XCL2) was up-regulated in ccRCC. The current study aims to reveal the functional activity of XCL2 in ccRCC.

METHODS

The transcriptome profiling, clinical parameters, and simple nucleotide variation profiles of ccRCC samples were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The survival analysis, multivariate/univariate Cox analysis, correlation analysis, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and tumor mutation burden (TMB) analysis were performed. Next, immune cell infiltration and immune functions were analyzed. Finally, the functions of XCL2 were investigated in Caki-1 and 786-O cells.

RESULTS

Upregulated XCL2 was associated with worse overall survival of ccRCC and correlated to age, grade, stage, and T stage. Age, grade, and XCL2 were independent prognostic factors. Significant enrichment in apoptosis, DNA replication, and immune response was demonstrated by GSEA. XCL2 was not only tightly associated with immune cell infiltration, but also significantly linked with several immune functions. Moreover, patients, who had higher XCL2 expression, owned higher levels of TMB. Interestingly, XCL2 was positively correlated with common immune checkpoints. In vitro, XCL2 could inhibit apoptosis, and promote proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of Caki-1 and 786-O cells.

CONCLUSIONS

In general, the current study suggested that XCL2 may participate in the progression of ccRCC. Importantly, XCL2 may be a potential new target of immunotherapy.

Environmental exposure and the role of AhR in the tumor microenvironment of breast cancer

Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) through environmental exposure to chemicals including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) can lead to severe adverse health effects and increase the risk of breast cancer. This review considers several mechanisms which link the tumor promoting effects of environmental pollutants with the AhR signaling pathway, contributing to the development and progression of breast cancer. We explore AhR's function in shaping the tumor microenvironment, modifying immune tolerance, and regulating cancer stemness, driving breast cancer chemoresistance and metastasis. The complexity of AhR, with evidence for both oncogenic and tumor suppressor roles is discussed. We propose that AhR functions as a "molecular bridge", linking disproportionate toxin exposure and policies which underlie environmental injustice with tumor cell behaviors which drive poor patient outcomes.

Re-evaluation of the myoepithelial cells roles in the breast cancer progression

Over the past decades, luminal epithelial cell lineage has gained considerable attraction as the functionally milk-secreting units and as the most fruitful acreage for breast cancer launching. Recognition of the effective involvement of the myoepithelial cells in mammary gland development and in hampering tumorigenesis has renewed the interest in investigating the biological roles of this second main mammary lineage. The human breast is made up of an extensively branching ductal system intervening by copious lobular units. The ductal system is coated by a chain of luminal epithelial cells (LECs) situated on a layer of myoepithelial cells (MECs) and encompassed by a distinguished basement membrane. Ductal contractility during lactation is a well-known function delivered by the MECs however this is not the only assignment mediated by these cellular populations. It has been well appreciated that the MECs exhibit a natural paracrine power in defeating cancer development and advancement. MECs were found to express numerous proteinase inhibitors, anti-angiogenic factors, and tumour suppressors proteins. Additionally, MECs contributed effectively to maintaining the right luminal cells' polarization and further separating them from the adjacent stroma by making an integrated fence. Indeed, disruption of the MECs layer was reported to facilitate the invasion of the cancer cells to the surrounding stroma. Nonetheless, MECs were also found to exhibit cancer-promoting effects and provoke tumour invasion and dissemination by displaying distinct cancer chemokines. Herein in this review, we aimed to address the roles delivered by MECs in breast cancer progression and decipher the molecular mechanisms regulating proper MECs' physiology, integrity, and terminal differentiation.

Pro-Inflammatory and Anti-Inflammatory Salivary Cytokines in Breast Cancer: Relationship with Clinicopathological Characteristics of the Tumor

The aim of the work was to compare the salivary cytokine profile of breast cancer patients with the clinicopathological characteristics of the tumor. The study included 113 patients with breast cancer (main group, mean age 54.1 years) and 111 patients with breast fibroadenomas (control group, mean age 56.7 years). Before treatment, saliva samples were collected from all patients and the content of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-18, MCP-1, and TNF-α) was determined. The content of cytokines in saliva correlates well with the clinicopathological characteristics of breast cancer. The level of all salivary cytokines increases at advanced stages of breast cancer and at a low degree of tumor differentiation. The exception is MCP-1, for which there is an extremely high content for well-differentiated breast cancer. A statistically significant increase in the content of MCP-1, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 was found in triple-negative breast cancer. For the first time, the correlation of salivary levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 with HER2 status, MCP-1, IL-1β, IL-2, and IL-4 with the hormonal status of the tumor was shown. The relationship between the level of IL-2, IL-10, and IL-18 in saliva with the level of Ki-67 expression has been established.

Network Pharmacology Analysis, Molecular Docking, and In Vitro Verification Reveal the Action Mechanism of Prunella vulgaris L. in Treating Breast Cancer

Background

Prunella vulgaris L. is effective in the treatment of breast cancer (BRCA); however, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of treatment of BRCA by P. vulgaris using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology, and to verify the experimental results using human BRCA MDA-MB-231 cells.

Methods

Active components and action targets of P. vulgaris were determined using the TCMSP™, SwissTarget Prediction™, and TargetNet™ databases. GeneCards™ and OMIM™ provided BRCA targets. After obtaining common targets, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the STRING™ database, and Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were conducted using the Xiantao™ academic database. Cytoscape™ was used to construct “single drug-disease-component-target” and “single drug-disease-component-target-pathway” networks. The Human Protein Atlas™ was used to determine protein expression levels in BRCA cell lines. AutoDock tools™ were used to carry out molecular docking for the first 10 targets of quercetin and the PPI network. Finally, the abovementioned results were verified using cell experiments.

Results

We obtained 11 active components, 198 targets, and 179 common targets, including DUOX2, MET, TOP2A, and ERBB3. The results of KEGG pathway analysis screened 188 related signaling pathways and indicated the potential key role of PI3K-Akt and MAPK signaling pathways in the antibreast cancer process of P. vulgaris. The results of molecular docking showed that the first 10 targets of quercetin interacted well with the protein network. Cell experiments showed that quercetin effectively inhibited the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells by regulating apoptosis and cell cycle, which may be partly related to the MAPK signaling pathway.

Conclusion

Synergistic effects of multiple components, targets, and pathways on the anti-BRCA activity of P. vulgaris could provide a theoretical basis for further study on its complex anti-BRCA mechanism.

Biodetection Techniques for Quantification of Chemokines

Chemokines are a class of cytokine whose special properties, together with their involvement and relevant role in various diseases, make them a restricted group of biomarkers suitable for diagnosis and monitoring. Despite their importance, biodetection techniques dedicated to the selective determination of one or more chemokines are very scarce. For some years now, the critical diagnosis of inflammatory diseases by detecting both cytokine and chemokine biomarkers, has had a strong impact on the development of multiple detection platforms. However, it would be desirable to implement methodologies with a higher degree of selectivity for chemokines, in order to provide more precise information. In addition, better development of biosensor technology applied to this specific field would make it possible to address the main challenges of detection methods for several diseases with a high incidence in the population, avoiding high costs and low sensitivity. Taking this into account, this review aims to present the state of the art of chemokine biodetection techniques and emphasize the role of these systems in the prevention, monitoring and treatment of various diseases associated with chemokines as a starting point for future developments that are also analyzed throughout the article.