Prognostic Significance of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes and the Tertiary Lymphoid Structures in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Treated With Adjuvant Trastuzumab. Issue 2 (1st August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Hee Jin; Kim, Joo Young; Park, In Ah; Song, In Hye; Yu, Jong Han; Ahn, Jin-Hee; Gong, Gyungyub
• Is Part Of: American journal of clinical pathology. Volume 144:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 278
• Page End: 288
• Publication Date: 2015-08-01
• Subjects: Breast carcinoma -- HER2 -- Trastuzumab -- Lymphocytes -- Tertiary lymphoid structure -- MHC I; Diagnosis, Laboratory -- Periodicals; Pathology -- Periodicals; 616.07
• DOI: 10.1309/AJCPIXUYDVZ0RZ3G
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-9173

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have prognostic significance in breast cancer. The tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS) is related to the influx of TILs, and expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I in tumor cells is necessary for the effective action of TILs. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the relationship of TILs and TLS and the expression of MHC I in 447 HER2-positive breast cancers treated with chemotherapy and 1 year of trastuzumab. Results: TILs were more abundant in hormone receptor (HR)−/HER2+ tumors than in HR+/HER2+ tumors. HR−/HER2+ breast cancers with abundant TILs showed a higher histologic grade, the absence of lymphovascular invasion, the presence of peritumoral lymphocytic infiltration, moderate to abundant TLSs in adjacent tissue, and stronger HLA-ABC and HLA-A expression. Abundant TILs and the absence of lymphovascular invasion were found to be good, independent prognostic factors for disease-free survival in patients with HR−/HER2+ breast cancer. The level of TILs was not associated with the patients' prognosis in HR+ tumors. Conclusions: Abundant TILs are an independent prognostic factor in HR−/HER2+ breast cancers. Evaluation of TILs in HR−/HER2+ breast cancers may provide valuable information regarding the prognosis of patients treated using adjuvant chemotherapy and trastuzumab.