Tumour-infiltrating CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes in breast cancer

Intratumoral infiltrating lymphocytes correlate with improved survival in colorectal cancer patients: Independent of oncogenetic features

BACKGROUND

The clinical relevance and prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) as an interplay between malignant cells and immune function has been known for decades. On contrary, this potential may be different by T lymphocytes subsets endowed with a different function. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease with different suggested prognostic biomarkers. So, this study was conducted to examine the prognostic value of CD8+ TILs on the survival rate of CRC as an independent factor of oncogenetic tumor features.

METHODS

With respect to this, 281 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples of Iranian CRC patients were evaluated for clinical features including tumor location, tumor stage, differentiation grade, and mucinous characteristics. Then, using the standard immunohistochemical technique, tumor sections were examined, and CD8+ TILs were counted and identified in two regions of the tumor, including intratumoral (ITCIL TILs) and stromal (S TILs). The prognostic value of CD8⁺ TILs was determined by comparing with parameters, such as diagnostic age, tumor stage, adjuvant therapy, microsatellite instability (MSI) status, KRAS and BRAF mutations, family history, and survival.

RESULTS

The presence of intratumoral tumor cell-infiltrating lymphocytes (ITCIL) CD8+ lymphocytes are significantly associated with differentiation (p = 0.004), tumor, node, and metastases (TNM) stage (p = 0.001), and MSI (p = 0.001). Meanwhile, based on the level of stromal infiltrating lymphocytes (SIL) infiltration, analysis of CRC patients was statistically associated with a location (p = 0.002), TNM stage (p < 0.001), metastasis (p < 0.001), and KRAS mutation (p = 0.031). Also, tumors with severe ITCIL CD8+ lymphocytes have a good prognosis compared with tumors with poor or moderate ITCIL CD8+ lymphocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that intratumor cell-infiltrating CD8- T lymphocytes as an independent prognostic factor that have an antitumor activity as judged by their favorable effect on patients' survival and could potentially be exploited in the treatment of CRC.

Hematopoietic stem cell specific V-ATPase controls breast cancer progression and metastasis via cytotoxic T cells

The interaction of recruited immune effector cells and cancer cells within tumor microenvironment (TME) shapes the fate of cancer progression and metastasis. Many cancers including breast cancer, express a specific vacuolar ATPase (a2V) on their cell surface which acidifies the extracellular milieu helping cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. To understand the role of immune cell-associated-a2V during breast tumor pathogenesis, we knocked-out a2V (KO) from the hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and generated breast tumors in mice. The a2V-KO mice developed faster growing, larger, and metastatic breast tumors compared to control mice. Further investigation of the TME revealed a significant reduction in the presence of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells in the a2V-KO tumors. Targeted RNA-Seq of the cells of the TME demonstrated that pro-inflammatory cytokines, death receptors, death receptor ligands, and cytotoxic effectors were significantly down-regulated within the a2V-KO TME. Interestingly, analysis of immune cells in the blood, spleen, and thymus of the non-tumor bearing a2V-KO mice revealed a significant decrease in CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell populations. For the first time, this study demonstrates that inhibition of V-ATPase expression in HSC leads to a decrease in CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell populations and thus promotes breast tumor growth and metastasis.

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast: friends or foes?

In the past three decades, the detection rate of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast has dramatically increased due to breast screening programs. As a consequence, about 20% of all breast cancer cases are detected in this early in situ stage. Some ductal carcinoma in situ cases will progress to invasive breast cancer, while other cases are likely to have an indolent biological behavior. The presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes is seen as a promising prognostic and predictive marker in invasive breast cancer, mainly in HER2-positive and triple-negative subtypes. Here, we summarize the current understanding regarding immune infiltrates in invasive breast cancer and highlight recent observations regarding the presence and potential clinical significance of such immune infiltrates in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ. The presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, their numbers, composition, and potential relationship with genomic status will be discussed. Finally, we propose that a combination of genetic and immune markers may better stratify ductal carcinoma in situ subtypes with respect to tumor evolution.

Polymer-Based Nanomaterials and Applications for Vaccines and Drugs

Nanotechnology plays a significant role in drug development. As carriers, polymeric nanoparticles can deliver vaccine antigens, proteins, and drugs to the desired site of action. Polymeric nanoparticles with lower cytotoxicity can protect the delivered antigens or drugs from degradation under unfavorable conditions via a mucosal administration route; further, the uptake of nanoparticles by antigen-presenting cells can increase and induce potent immune responses. Additionally, nanomaterials are widely used in vaccine delivery systems because nanomaterials can make the vaccine antigen long-acting. This review focuses on some biodegradable polymer materials such as natural polymeric nanomaterials, chemically synthesized polymer materials, and biosynthesized polymeric materials, and points out the advantages and the direction of research on degradable polymeric materials. The application and future perspectives of polymeric materials as delivery carriers and vaccine adjuvants in the field of drugs and vaccines are presented. With the increase of knowledge and fundamental understandings of polymer-based nanomaterials, means of integrating some other attractive properties, such as slow release, target delivery, and alternative administration methods and delivery pathways are feasible. Polymer-based nanomaterials have great potential for the development of novel vaccines and drug systems for certain needs, including single-dose and needle-free deliveries of vaccine antigens and drugs in the future.

Immune profiling in human breast cancer using high-sensitivity detection and analysis techniques

Objectives

Evaluation of immune profiles in human breast cancer using high-sensitivity detection and analysis methods.

Design

Cohort comparative analysis studies of breast tissue.

Setting

Human hospital and laboratory healthcare facilities.

Participants

Women over 18 years.

Main outcome measures

Evaluation of the comparative immunophenotype of human breast carcinoma and normal breast tissues.

Results

Leukocyte density and specific subgroups of lymphocytes and macrophages were generally higher in breast cancers compared to normal breast tissues. CD3, CD4, CD45RO, CD45RA(2H4), CD45 and HLA Class II (on TIL) were significantly expressed on breast tumour tissues compared with normal tissues (p < .01). Some 30% of T-cells were γδ-TCR positive, but the majority were αβ-TCR in type. CD19 (B-cell), CD14 (FMC32 and 33) and HLA Class I levels (epithelial and TIL) showed no significant differences. IL-2α receptor expression was low or absent on most TIL.

Conclusions

High-sensitivity and image analysis techniques permitted accurate characterisation of the TIL infiltrate for immune profiling. Breast carcinoma showed predominance of CD4 T-cells of mainly memory phenotype. Normal breast tissues showed low leukocyte infiltration. Further correlation of these findings with clinical outcome, including survival, is proceeding with encouraging results.

Prognostic role of c-met expression in breast cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Hepatocyte growth factor plays an important role in tumor growth, metastasis and angiogenesis. C-met is HGF's high affinity receptor.

AIM

The aim of the study was to assess the correlations between c-met expression and clinic-pathological factors in breast cancer tissues. Furthermore, the purpose of the study was to evaluate the prognostic value of the hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR, c-met) expressions in homogenous group of breast cancer patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Tumor samples were collected from 302 patients with breast carcinoma treated with primary surgery. We have assessed the percentage of tumor cells with c-met expression, the intensity of reaction and the ratio of these two factors-immunoreactivity according to the Remmele score.

RESULTS

We have observed no correlations between HGFR immunoreactivities and clinical parameters (tumor size, grade, axillary lymph node status, age). In 5-year observation we have found prognostic value of assessing c-met immunoreactivity in primary tumor.

CONCLUSION

Our study has revealed prognostic value of c-met. Unlike in other authors' studies, our patients' group is very homogenous which might contribute to obtained results.