Core needle biopsies alter the amounts of CCR5, Siglec-15, and PD-L1 positivities in breast carcinoma
Minna Mutka1, Kristiina Joensuu2, Marja Heiskala2
1Department of Pathology, HUSLAB, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, FIN-00290, Helsinki, Finland. minna.mutka@hus.fi.
Abstract:
Core needle biopsies (CNB) are widely used to diagnose breast cancer, but the procedure is invasive and thus, it changes the tumor microenvironment. The purpose of this study is to see how the expression of three potentially anti-inflammatory molecules, namely, programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin-15 (Siglec-15), and C-C chemokine receptor-5 (CCR-5), are expressed in CNB and surgical resection specimens (SRS). To do this, we compared the amounts of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and the levels of CCR5, Siglec-15, and PD-L1 in tumor cells and inflammatory cells as assessed by immunohistochemistry in CNB and the corresponding SRS of 22 invasive breast carcinomas of no special type and 22 invasive lobular carcinomas. The Siglec-15 H-score was higher in tumor cells in the SRS than in the CNB groups. There was no change in tumor cells CCR5 or PD-L1 between CNB and SRS. The positive inflammatory cell numbers for all markers rose between CNB and SRS, as did the amount of Tils. Furthermore, higher grade tumors and tumors with a high proliferation rate had more inflammatory cells that were positive for the markers and also more PD-L1+ tumor cells. Although changes in inflammatory cells can partly be attributed to the larger sample size of operation specimens, the differences also mirror a true change in the tumor microenvironment. The changes in inflammatory cells could be partly due to the need to restrict excess inflammation at the site of the biopsy.
Insights
Core needle biopsies (CNB) alter the breast cancer tumor microenvironment. While tumor cell expression of Siglec-15 increased, inflammatory cell markers like programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and C-C chemokine receptor-5 (CCR-5) rose significantly in surgical specimens compared to CNBs.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Core needle biopsies (CNB) are standard for breast cancer diagnosis but are invasive.
- Tumor microenvironment (TME) changes can impact diagnostic accuracy and treatment response.
- Understanding TME modifications post-biopsy is crucial for accurate breast cancer assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of CNB on the expression of anti-inflammatory molecules in breast cancer.
- To compare programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin-15 (Siglec-15), and C-C chemokine receptor-5 (CCR-5) expression in CNB versus surgical resection specimens (SRS).
- To evaluate changes in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and marker expression in tumor and inflammatory cells.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to assess PD-L1, Siglec-15, and CCR-5 expression.
- Comparison was made between CNB and corresponding SRS in 44 invasive breast carcinoma patients.
- Quantification of TILs and marker-positive tumor and inflammatory cells was performed.
Main Results:
- Siglec-15 H-score was significantly higher in tumor cells of SRS compared to CNB.
- No significant change in tumor cell CCR-5 or PD-L1 expression was observed between CNB and SRS.
- Positive inflammatory cell counts for all markers and TILs increased from CNB to SRS; higher grade tumors showed more positive inflammatory cells and PD-L1+ tumor cells.
Conclusions:
- Core needle biopsy induces changes in the breast cancer tumor microenvironment, particularly affecting inflammatory cell infiltration and marker expression.
- Increased inflammatory cell markers (PD-L1, Siglec-15, CCR-5) and TILs in SRS suggest a dynamic TME response post-biopsy.
- These TME alterations, especially in higher-grade tumors, may influence treatment strategies and diagnostic interpretations.
