The presence of TILs is a prognostic factor in TNBC. However, the prognostic role of CD4+/CD8+ lymphocytes, as well as the intra- or peritumoral distribution remains controversial. Regarding soluble immune checkpoints, there are still very few studies and their prognostic value is unknown in early TNBC. The aim of this study is evaluate the role of TILs and also the search of non-invasive immune checkpoints markers in early TNBC.
Prospective observational study was carried out in the University General Hospital of Valencia in 42 early TNBC patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Blood samples were collected before NACT. 17 plasma immune checkpoints were analyzed using a preconfigured panel based on Luminex xMAP®. R program was used for statistical analysis. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Mean age: 55 years (28-77). 52.4% stage I/II and 47.6% stage III. All NACT schemes included taxanes; carboplatin was added in 17 patients. Mean TILs expression: 30.7% (1-90). Mean relationship between peri- and intratumoral lymphocytes was 68%
TILs are an important prognostic factor in patients with early TNBC, obtaining increased survival in patients with higher levels, regardless of location and lymphocyte subtype. Besides, we observe that in more advanced tumors there are higher plasmatic levels of soluble immune checkpoints, indicating decreased activity of the immune system.
The authors.
The authors acknowledge grant CB16-12-00350 from CIBERONC, the AMACMA foundation, and Lopez Trigo 2017.
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.