Prognostic and Clinical Significance of PD-L1, EGFR and Androgen Receptor (AR) Expression in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) Patients
Nataša Medić-Milijić,
Irena Jovanić,
Milica Nedeljković,
Ivan Marković,
Igor Spurnić,
Zorka Milovanović,
Nejla Ademović,
Tijana Tomić,
Nasta Tanić,
Nikola Tanić
Affiliations
Nataša Medić-Milijić
Department of Pathology, Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Irena Jovanić
Department of Pathology, Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Milica Nedeljković
Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Ivan Marković
Surgical Oncology Clinic, Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Igor Spurnić
Surgical Oncology Clinic, Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Zorka Milovanović
Department of Pathology, Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Nejla Ademović
Department of Neurobiology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
Tijana Tomić
Department of Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute of Nuclear Sciences “Vinča”, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrocića Alasa 12-14, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Nasta Tanić
Department of Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute of Nuclear Sciences “Vinča”, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrocića Alasa 12-14, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Nikola Tanić
Department of Neurobiology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype and is associated with high recurrence rates, a high incidence of distant metastases and poor overall survival. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of PD-L1, EGFR and AR expression in TNBC promotion and progression. To that end, we analyzed the immunohistochemical expression of these genes in 125 TNBC patients and their relation to clinicopathological parameters and survival. An elevated expression of PD-L1 was significantly correlated with higher tumor and nuclear grade, while a low expression was correlated with loco-regional recurrence without any influence on survival. Contrary to this, the expression of AR showed a positive impact on the DFI and a negative association with tumor grade. Furthermore, PD-L1 and AR demonstrated simultaneous expression, and further co-expression analysis revealed that a positive expression of PD-L1/AR notably correlates with tumor and nuclear grade and has a significant impact on a longer DFI and OS, while a negative PD-L1/AR expression is significantly associated with metastases. Therefore, our results suggest that positive PD-L1/AR expression is beneficial for TNBC patients. In addition, an elevated expression of EGFR contributes to metastases and a worse DFI and OS. In conclusion, we think that low PD-L1/low AR/high EGFR expression followed by high Ki67 expression constitutes a ‘high risk’ profile of TNBC.
