High Densities of Tumor-Associated Plasma Cells Predict Improved Prognosis in Triple Negative Breast Cancer

• Published in: Frontiers in immunology 2018-05, Vol.9, p.1209-1209
• Main Authors: Yeong, Joe, Lim, Jeffrey Chun Tatt, Lee, Bernett, Li, Huihua, Chia, Noel, Ong, Clara Chong Hui, Lye, Weng Kit, Putti, Thomas Choudary, Dent, Rebecca, Lim, Elaine, Thike, Aye Aye, Tan, Puay Hoon, Iqbal, Jabed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: B cells; immunohistochemistry; Immunology; plasma cells; triple negative breast cancer; tumor immunology
• ISSN: 1664-3224; 1664-3224
• DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01209

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy affecting women, but the heterogeneity of the condition is a significant obstacle to effective treatment. Triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs) do not express HER2 or the receptors for estrogen or progesterone, and so often have a poor prognosis. Tumor-infiltrating T cells have been well-characterized in TNBC, and increased numbers are associated with better outcomes; however, the potential roles of B cells and plasma cells have been large. Here, we conducted a retrospective correlative study on the expression of B cell/plasma cell-related genes, and the abundance and localization of B cells and plasma cells within TNBCs, and clinical outcome. We analyzed 269 TNBC samples and used immunohistochemistry to quantify tumor-infiltrating B cells and plasma cells, coupled with NanoString measurement of expression of immunoglobulin metagenes. Multivariate analysis revealed that patients bearing TNBCs with above-median densities of CD38 plasma cells had significantly better disease-free survival (DFS) (HR = 0.44; 95% CI 0.26-0.77;  = 0.004) but not overall survival (OS), after adjusting for the effects of known prognostic factors. In contrast, TNBCs with higher immunoglobulin gene expression exhibited improved prognosis (OS  = 0.029 and DFS  = 0.005). The presence of B cells and plasma cells was positively correlated (