Early-Stage Luminal B-like Breast Cancer Exhibits a More Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment than Luminal A-like Breast Cancer
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:...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Biomolecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/1/78 |
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| author | Tânia Moura Olga Caramelo Isabel Silva Sandra Silva Manuela Gonçalo Maria Antónia Portilha João N. Moreira Ana M. Gil Paula Laranjeira Artur Paiva |
| author_facet | Tânia Moura Olga Caramelo Isabel Silva Sandra Silva Manuela Gonçalo Maria Antónia Portilha João N. Moreira Ana M. Gil Paula Laranjeira Artur Paiva |
| author_sort | Tânia Moura |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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<sup>+</sup> 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a98e3514a33947beb6231f830ed8eeb7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2218-273X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomolecules |
| spelling | doaj-art-a98e3514a33947beb6231f830ed8eeb72025-01-24T13:25:06ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2025-01-011517810.3390/biom15010078Early-Stage Luminal B-like Breast Cancer Exhibits a More Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment than Luminal A-like Breast CancerTânia Moura0Olga Caramelo1Isabel Silva2Sandra Silva3Manuela Gonçalo4Maria Antónia Portilha5João N. Moreira6Ana M. Gil7Paula Laranjeira8Artur Paiva9Flow 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, PortugalGynecology Department, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra, Praceta Prof. Mota Pinto, 3000-075 Coimbra, PortugalFlow 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, PortugalFlow 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, PortugalMedical Imaging Department, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra, Praceta Prof. Mota Pinto, 3000-075 Coimbra, PortugalMedical Imaging Department, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra, Praceta Prof. Mota Pinto, 3000-075 Coimbra, PortugalCenter for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, PortugalDepartment of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, PortugalFlow 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, PortugalFlow 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, PortugalBackground: 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<sup>+</sup> 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/1/78breast cancertumor microenvironmentimmune cellsmonocytesT cells |
| spellingShingle | Tânia Moura Olga Caramelo Isabel Silva Sandra Silva Manuela Gonçalo Maria Antónia Portilha João N. Moreira Ana M. Gil Paula Laranjeira Artur Paiva Early-Stage Luminal B-like Breast Cancer Exhibits a More Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment than Luminal A-like Breast Cancer Biomolecules breast cancer tumor microenvironment immune cells monocytes T cells |
| title | Early-Stage Luminal B-like Breast Cancer Exhibits a More Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment than Luminal A-like Breast Cancer |
| title_full | Early-Stage Luminal B-like Breast Cancer Exhibits a More Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment than Luminal A-like Breast Cancer |
| title_fullStr | Early-Stage Luminal B-like Breast Cancer Exhibits a More Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment than Luminal A-like Breast Cancer |
| title_full_unstemmed | Early-Stage Luminal B-like Breast Cancer Exhibits a More Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment than Luminal A-like Breast Cancer |
| title_short | Early-Stage Luminal B-like Breast Cancer Exhibits a More Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment than Luminal A-like Breast Cancer |
| title_sort | early stage luminal b like breast cancer exhibits a more immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment than luminal a like breast cancer |
| topic | breast cancer tumor microenvironment immune cells monocytes T cells |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/1/78 |
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