The correlation of CD19 + CD24 + CD38 + B cells and other clinicopathological variables with the proportion of circulating Tregs in breast cancer patients

Abstract

Background: T regulatory cells (Tregs) are known to negatively control immune response. The frequency of these cells was inversely correlated with clinical outcomes of breast cancer. CD19⁺CD24^hiCD38^hi cells also play a critical role in inflammation and autoimmune disease. However, their function in tumor immune response is less studied. In this study we aimed to determine the role of CD19⁺CD24^hiCD38^hi cells and some other clinicopathological variables in increasing the proportion of Tregs in breast cancer patients.

Methods: We selected 47 patients with invasive ductal breast carcinoma and 50 healthy controls and obtained their blood samples.

Results: The proportion of circulating CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ Tregs and CD19⁺CD24^hiCD38^hi cells was significantly increased in breast cancer patients. We also found that increased proportion of Tregs in breast cancer is correlated with HER2 amplification, advanced clinical stages, serum TGF-β1 and increased CD19⁺CD24^hiCD38^hi cells in the peripheral blood.

Conclusion: Altogether, our data suggest that as much as Tregs, CD19⁺CD24^hiCD38^hi B cells could also have a part in the suppression of immune response in breast cancer.

Keywords: Breast cancer; CD19 + CD24 + CD38 + B cells; Clinicopathological variables; T regulatory cells.