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Updated: Nov 7, 2025
Optimization of a Multiplex RNA-based Expression Assay Using Breast Cancer Archival Material
Published on: August 1, 2018
Transcriptomic Profiles of CD47 in Breast Tumors Predict Outcome and Are Associated with Immune Activation
María Del Mar Noblejas-López1,2, Mariona Baliu-Piqué3, Cristina Nieto-Jiménez3
1Translational Oncology Laboratory, Translational Research Unit, Albacete University Hospital, 02008 Albacete, Spain.
Abstract:
Targeting the innate immune system has attracted attention with the development of anti- CD47 antibodies. Anti-CD47 antibodies block the inhibition of the phagocytic activity of macrophages caused by the up-regulation of CD47 on tumor cells. In this study, public genomic data was used to identify genes highly expressed in breast tumors with elevated CD47 expression and analyzed the association between the presence of tumor immune infiltrates and the expression of the selected genes. We found that 142 genes positively correlated with CD47, of which 83 predicted favorable and 32 detrimental relapse-free survival (RFS). From those associated with favorable RFS, we selected the genes with immunologic biological functions and defined a CD47-immune signature composed of PTPRC, HLA-E, TGFBR2, PTGER4, ETS1, and OPTN. In the basal-like and HER2+ breast cancer subtypes, the expression of the CD47-immune signature predicted favorable outcome, correlated with the presence of tumor immune infiltrates, and with gene expression signatures of T cell activation. Moreover, CD47 up-regulated genes associated with favorable survival correlated with pro-tumoral macrophages. In summary, we described a CD47-immune gene signature composed of 6 genes associated with favorable prognosis, T cell activation, and pro-tumoral macrophages in breast cancer tumors expressing high levels of CD47.
Insights
This study identifies a 6-gene CD47-immune signature in breast cancer. This signature predicts favorable outcomes and correlates with T cell activation and pro-tumoral macrophages in high CD47 tumors.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genomics
- Oncology
Background:
- CD47 is a target for anti-cancer therapies, blocking its interaction with macrophages to restore phagocytosis.
- Tumor cells often up-regulate CD47, evading immune detection.
- Targeting CD47 offers a promising strategy for innate immune system modulation in cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify genes associated with high CD47 expression in breast tumors.
- To analyze the relationship between these genes, tumor immune infiltrates, and patient survival.
- To define a novel CD47-immune gene signature for predicting breast cancer prognosis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized public genomic data to identify genes correlated with CD47 expression in breast tumors.
- Performed survival analysis to assess the association of gene expression with relapse-free survival (RFS).
- Selected immunologically relevant genes to construct a CD47-immune signature.
Main Results:
- Identified 142 genes positively correlated with CD47 expression; 83 predicted favorable RFS, 32 predicted detrimental RFS.
- Developed a 6-gene CD47-immune signature (PTPRC, HLA-E, TGFBR2, PTGER4, ETS1, OPTN) associated with favorable RFS.
- In basal-like and HER2+ breast cancer, the signature predicted favorable outcomes, correlated with immune infiltrates and T cell activation.
Conclusions:
- A 6-gene CD47-immune signature is associated with favorable prognosis in high CD47 breast tumors.
- This signature reflects T cell activation and the presence of pro-tumoral macrophages.
- The findings support CD47-targeted therapies and highlight the role of immune interactions in breast cancer outcomes.
