Early-Stage Luminal B-like Breast Cancer Exhibits a More Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment than Luminal A-like Breast Cancer
Tânia Moura,
Olga Caramelo,
Isabel Silva,
Sandra Silva,
Manuela Gonçalo,
Maria Antónia Portilha,
João N. Moreira,
Ana M. Gil,
Paula Laranjeira,
Artur Paiva
Affiliations
Tânia Moura
Flow 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, Portugal
Olga Caramelo
Gynecology Department, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra, Praceta Prof. Mota Pinto, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
Isabel Silva
Flow 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, Portugal
Sandra Silva
Flow 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, Portugal
Manuela Gonçalo
Medical Imaging Department, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra, Praceta Prof. Mota Pinto, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
Maria Antónia Portilha
Medical Imaging Department, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra, Praceta Prof. Mota Pinto, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
João N. Moreira
Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
Ana M. Gil
Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Paula Laranjeira
Flow 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, Portugal
Artur Paiva
Flow 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, Portugal
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+ 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.
