Understanding the intricacies of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and its response to treatments is crucial in improving patient outcomes. A recent study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting delved into the tumor immune microenvironments of TNBC at both primary and metastatic sites. The goal was to investigate how the immune composition within the tumors may influence the effectiveness of checkpoint inhibitors.
Led by Yuan Yuan, MD, PhD, the director of breast oncology at Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center, the study involved genomic profiling of over 1,000 TNBC patients who underwent standard care genomic sequencing. By collaborating with Tempus Genomics, the researchers were able to compare different sites of metastasis, including the breast, liver, lymph nodes, lungs, and bones. The primary focus was to analyze the changes in the tumor microenvironment as tumors spread to these various sites.
The study revealed significant differences in the immune composition when comparing different sites of metastasis. Liver metastases, for example, tended to have a more immune-cold tumor environment, characterized by a higher percentage of macrophages and lower levels of B cells, CD4 T cells, and CD8 T cells. This disparity in immune cell populations could potentially impact the response to immunotherapy in TNBC patients with liver metastases.
Moreover, the study included over 200 TNBC patients of African American descent, allowing the researchers to investigate any racial disparities in the tumor microenvironment. Intriguingly, the findings suggested variations in cell populations between African American patients and their white counterparts. These provocative results highlight the importance of addressing ethnic disparities in cancer research and treatment.
Moving forward, the research team plans to further explore these findings by utilizing their own retrospective dataset at Cedars-Sinai. By validating these initial observations, the researchers aim to deepen their understanding of how tumor microenvironments influence treatment outcomes in TNBC patients. This ongoing research holds the promise of uncovering novel insights that could enhance the personalized management of TNBC. Stay tuned for further updates on this groundbreaking study.
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