Abstract:
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.
摘要:
三阴性乳腺癌(TNBC)是最具侵袭性的乳腺癌亚型,与高复发率相关。远处转移的发生率高,总体生存率低。本研究的目的是探讨PD-L1、EGFR和AR表达在TNBC促进和进展中的作用。为此,我们分析了125例TNBC患者中这些基因的免疫组织化学表达及其与临床病理参数和生存率的关系。PD-L1的表达升高与较高的肿瘤和核级别显着相关。而低表达与局部复发相关,对生存率没有任何影响。与此相反,AR的表达对DFI呈正相关,与肿瘤分级呈负相关.此外,PD-L1和AR同时表达,和进一步的共表达分析显示,PD-L1/AR的阳性表达与肿瘤和细胞核分级显著相关,并且对更长的DFI和OS有显著影响,而PD-L1/AR阴性表达与转移显著相关。因此,我们的结果表明,PD-L1/AR阳性表达对TNBC患者有益.此外,EGFR的表达升高有助于转移和恶化的DFI和OS。总之,我们认为低PD-L1/低AR/高EGFR表达和高Ki67表达构成了TNBC的“高风险”特征.