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In breast cancer, a high ratio of tumour‐infiltrating intraepithelial CD8+ to FoxP3+ cells is characteristic for the medullary subtype
Author(s) -
Anz David,
Eiber Stephan,
Scholz Christoph,
Endres Stefan,
Kirchner Thomas,
Bourquin Carole,
Mayr Doris
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
histopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.626
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1365-2559
pISSN - 0309-0167
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2011.04040.x
Subject(s) - foxp3 , breast cancer , cd8 , cancer research , pathology , cytotoxic t cell , cancer , medicine , biology , immunology , immune system , biochemistry , in vitro
Anz D, Eiber S, Scholz C, Endres S, Kirchner T, Bourquin C & Mayr D
(2011) Histopathology 59 , 965–974 In breast cancer, a high ratio of tumour‐infiltrating intraepithelial CD8+ to FoxP3+ cells is characteristic for the medullary subtype Aims: Medullary breast cancer (MBC) is a biologically distinct subtype of breast cancer characterized by prominent lymphocytic infiltrates and a favourable clinical outcome. Tumour‐infiltrating CD8+ effector T cells may contribute to the good prognosis of this type of cancer; however, certain subtypes of lymphocyte, such as FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), can also suppress antitumour immunity. Methods and results: We determined tumour infiltration by FoxP3+, CCL22+ and CD8+ cells in paraffin‐embedded sections of MBC, and, as a reference, in samples of grade 3 ductal, lobular and mucinous breast cancer. All analysed MBCs were strongly infiltrated by FoxP3+ cells, whereas only weak infiltrates were detected in ductal or lobular breast cancer. This finding was unexpected, given the good prognosis of MBC. Strikingly, the number of CD8+ T cells exceeded the number of FoxP3+ cells in MBC (ratio of CD8+ to FoxP3+ cells of 2.6), whereas equal amounts of both cell types were found in ductal breast cancer (ratio of CD8+ to FoxP3+ cells of 1.1). In both types of breast cancer, we also detected cells expressing the Treg‐attracting chemokine CCL22. Conclusions: In breast cancer, a predominance of tumour‐infiltrating CD8+ over FoxP3+ cells was observed in MBC. Thus, the ratio of CD8+ to FoxP3+ cells rather than the absolute number of intratumoral FoxP3+ cells may be predictive for the clinical outcome of cancer.