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Sajjadi E, Venetis K, Ivanova M, Noale M, Blundo C, Di Loreto E, Scarfone G, Ferrero S, Maggi S, Veronesi P, Galimberti VE, Viale G, Peccatori FA, Fusco N, Guerini-Rocco E. Immune microenvironment dynamics in breast cancer during pregnancy: impact of gestational age on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and prognosis. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1116569. [PMID: 37671051 PMCID: PMC10475935 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1116569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Breast cancer during pregnancy (PrBC) is a rare condition known for its aggressive clinical behavior. The presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) has been shown to have a significant impact on the prognosis of these patients. Despite some biological characteristics of the tumor that may differ depending on the gestational age, little is known about the dynamics of the immune landscape within the tumor microenvironment (TME) in PrBC. Therefore, in this study, our objective was to gain comprehensive insights into the relationship between gestational age at breast cancer diagnosis and the composition of the TME. Methods n = 108 PrBC were selected from our institutional registry and categorized based on the gestational age by trimester. For all cases, TILs were profiled according to the International TILs Working Group recommendations, and subtyped by CD4, CD8, and forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) immunohistochemistry. PD-L1 was tested according to the combined positive score (CPS) using the IHC 22C3 pharmDx assay, with a cutoff value of ≥10 for positivity. The statistical approach encompassed Fisher's and Chi-squared tests, with appropriate adjustments for multiple comparisons, logistic regression models, and survival analyses based on the Kaplan-Meier method. Results The proportion of patients with poorly differentiated (G3) neoplasms increased as the gestational age advanced (first trimester, n = 25, 56.8%; second trimester, n = 27, 69.2%; third trimester, n = 21, 87.5%; p = 0.03). The histologic subtypes as well as the hormone receptor (HR) and HER2 status did not show significant changes across different pregnancy trimesters. In the HR+/HER2- subtype, there was a higher proportion of tumors with high/moderate TILs in the early phases of pregnancy, similar to FOXP3 expression (TILs: first trimester, n = 10, 35.7%; second trimester, n = 2, 10.5%; third trimester, n = 0; p = 0.02; FOXP3: first trimester, n = 10, 40%; second trimester, n = 3, 15.8%; third trimester, n = 0; p = 0.03). The median follow-up for our cohort was 81 months. Patients who relapsed after a breast cancer diagnosis during the first trimester were more frequently PD-L1-negative, unlike those with no disease recurrence (n = 9, 100% vs. n = 9, 56.3%; p = 0.03; hormone therapy and n = 9, 100% vs. n = 7, 53.9%; p = 0.02; chemotherapy). No statistically significant differences were seen among the three trimesters in terms of survival outcome. Conclusion The TME dynamics of HR+/HER2- PrBC vary based on gestational age, suggesting that immune tolerance expression during later gestational age could explain the increased aggressiveness of tumors diagnosed at that stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Sajjadi
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Konstantinos Venetis
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Mariia Ivanova
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Marianna Noale
- Neuroscience Institute Aging Branch, National Research Council (CNR), Padua, Italy
| | - Concetta Blundo
- Breast Surgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda—Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Eugenia Di Loreto
- Gynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda—Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Scarfone
- Gynecology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda—Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Ferrero
- Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda—Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical, and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Maggi
- Neuroscience Institute Aging Branch, National Research Council (CNR), Padua, Italy
| | - Paolo Veronesi
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Division of Breast Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Viale
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Fedro A. Peccatori
- Fertility and Procreation Unit, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Fusco
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Guerini-Rocco
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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Venetis K, Sajjadi E, Peccatori FA, Guerini-Rocco E, Fusco N. Immune plasticity in pregnancy-associated breast cancer tumorigenesis. Eur J Cancer Prev 2023; 32:364-369. [PMID: 37038998 DOI: 10.1097/cej.0000000000000803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PrBC) is a rare tumor that requires complex management. The coexistence of cancer and pregnancy involves several proliferative, invasive, and immune tolerance mechanisms that are shared between the two conditions. In normal pregnancy, successful fetal development is achieved through suppression of the maternal immune response toward the fetus. Similar immunosuppressive patterns during the malignant transformation supporting tumor growth, progression, and metastasis are also exhibited by tumors. An improved understanding of the immunosuppressive mechanisms and pathways underlying the immunological synergy in PrBC could lead to the identification of novel biomarkers that potentially improve patients' clinical management. In this review article, we outline some of the paramount features of immune plasticity during pregnancy, discussing the similarities shared between normal pregnancy and breast cancer in terms of immune suppression mechanisms. Emphasis is also placed on how the current knowledge of the immune milieu of these conditions may be translated into consequent therapeutic opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elham Sajjadi
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan
| | - Fedro A Peccatori
- Fertility and Procreation Unit, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Guerini-Rocco
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan
| | - Nicola Fusco
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan
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Venetis K, Sajjadi E, Ivanova M, Peccatori FA, Fusco N, Guerini-Rocco E. Characterization of the immune environment in pregnancy-associated breast cancer. Future Oncol 2023. [PMID: 37376974 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2022-1321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PrBC) is a rare and clinically challenging condition. Specific immune mechanisms and pathways are involved in maternal-fetal tolerance and tumor-host immunoediting. The comprehension of the molecular processes underpinning this immune synergy in PrBC is needed to improve patients' clinical management. Only a few studies focused on the immune biology of PrBC and attempted to identify bona fide biomarkers. Therefore, clinically actionable information remains extremely puzzling for these patients. In this review article, we discuss the current knowledge on the immune environment of PrBC, in comparison with pregnancy-unrelated breast cancer and in the context of maternal immune changes during pregnancy. A particular emphasis is given to the actual role of potential immune-related biomarkers for PrBC clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Venetis
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, 20141, Italy
| | - Elham Sajjadi
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, 20141, Italy
- Department of Oncology & Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, 20122, Italy
| | - Mariia Ivanova
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, 20141, Italy
| | - Fedro Alessandro Peccatori
- Fertility & Procreation Unit, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, 20141, Italy
| | - Nicola Fusco
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, 20141, Italy
- Department of Oncology & Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, 20122, Italy
| | - Elena Guerini-Rocco
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, 20141, Italy
- Department of Oncology & Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, 20122, Italy
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Venetis K, Sajjadi E, Ivanova M, Andaloro S, Pessina S, Zanetti C, Ranghiero A, Citelli G, Rossi C, Lucioni M, Malapelle U, Pagni F, Barberis M, Guerini-Rocco E, Viale G, Fusco N. The molecular landscape of breast mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Cancer Med 2023; 12:10725-10737. [PMID: 36916425 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the breast is an extremely rare salivary gland-type tumor characterized by epidermoid, basaloid, intermediate, and/or mucinous cells arranged in solid and cystic patterns. Despite their triple-negative phenotype, breast MECs are generally considered low-risk malignancies but their biology is largely unexplored; therefore, guidelines for clinical management are lacking. Here, we sought to characterize the molecular landscape of breast MECs. Thirteen cases were histologically reviewed, characterized for tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and were subjected to immunohistochemistry for programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1, clone 22C3), EGFR, and amphiregulin (AREG). Rearrangements in MAML2 and EWSR1 were investigated by fluorescent in situ hybridization. Targeted next-generation sequencing of 161 genes was performed on eight cases. Most MECs had low histological grade (n = 10, 77%), with the presence of TILs (n = 9/12; 75%) and PD-L1 combined positive score ranging from 10 to 20 (n = 4/6; 67%). All cases showed EGFR and AREG overexpression and were fusion negative. Enrichment of genetic alterations was observed in PI3K/AKT/mTOR and cell cycle regulation pathways, while only one case harbored TP53 mutations. This is the first study providing extensive molecular data on breast MECs and the largest collection of cases available to date in the literature. Breast MECs lack TP53 mutations found in high-grade forms of triple-negative breast cancers and MAML2 or EWSR1 rearrangements pathognomonic of salivary MECs. Triple-negativity and PD-L1 positivity suggest a window of opportunity for immunotherapy in these patients. The EGFR/AREG axis activation, coupled with the mutational patterns in PI3K/AKT/mTOR and cell cycle pathways warrants caution in considering MECs as low-risk neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Venetis
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Elham Sajjadi
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Mariia Ivanova
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Andaloro
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Pessina
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Zanetti
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Ranghiero
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriele Citelli
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Rossi
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marco Lucioni
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Molecular Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Pagni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Pathology, University Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Barberis
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Guerini-Rocco
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Viale
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Fusco
- Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Ng S, Shaffer K, Meghal T, Thomas-harris L, Medik Y, Shah C. Management of Pregnancy Associated Breast Cancer: a Review. Curr Breast Cancer Rep 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12609-022-00464-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Abstract
The prevalence of breast cancer currently ranks first among Chinese women with malignant tumors, occurring during premenopausal childbearing age in more than 60% of patients. With the increasing age of women at childbirth, the wide application of assisted reproductive technology (ART) and the rejuvenation of tumor patients, the prevalence of breast cancer occurring during pregnancy (PrBC) is gradually increasing. There are many domestic and foreign expert consensus articles and guidelines on fertility preservation for children and patients of childbearing age with malignant tumors, but there is a lack of expert consensus or guidelines on fertility preservation for patients with PrBC. Considering the uniqueness of PrBC patients, there is an urgent need for a standardized suggestion regarding their fertility preservation. The Committee of Fertility Protection and Preservation of China Association for the Promotion of Health Science and Technology together with the Chinese Society of Gynecological Endocrinology affiliated with the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology (CSGE-ISGE) organized relevant experts from different disciplines to formulate this consensus to guide fertility preservation of PrBC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyan Ruan
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
- Department of Women's Health, University of Tuebingen, University Women's Hospital and Research Centre for Women's Health, Tuebingen, Germany
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Sajjadi E, Venetis K, Noale M, Azim HA, Blundo C, Bonizzi G, Loreto ED, Scarfone G, Ferrero S, Maggi S, Barberis M, Veronesi P, Galimberti VE, Viale G, Fusco N, Peccatori FA, Guerini-rocco E. Breast Cancer during Pregnancy as a Special Type of Early-Onset Breast Cancer: Analysis of the Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Risk Profiles. Cells 2022; 11:2286. [PMID: 35892583 PMCID: PMC9332147 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer during pregnancy (PrBC) is a rare tumor with only a little information on its immune landscape. Here, we sought to characterize the cellular composition of the tumor microenvironment (TME) of PrBC and identify its differences from early-onset breast cancer (EOBC) in non-pregnant women. A total of 83 PrBC and 89 EOBC were selected from our Institutional registry and subjected to tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) profiling and immunohistochemistry for CD4, CD8, forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) (clone 22C3). A significantly lower frequency of hormone receptor (HR)-positive tumors was observed in PrBC. The prevalence of low/null PD-L1 and CD8+TILs was higher in PrBC than in the controls, specifically in HR+/HER2– breast cancers. PrBC had a significantly higher risk of relapse and disease-related death, compared to EOBC. The presence of TILs and each TIL subpopulation were significantly associated with disease relapse. Moreover, the death rate was higher in PrBC with CD8+ TILs. The TME of PrBC is characterized by specific patterns of TIL subpopulations with significant biological and prognostic roles. Routine assessment of TILs and TILs subtyping in these patients would be a valid addition to the pathology report that might help identify clinically relevant subsets of women with PrBC.
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Fusco N, Rizzo A, Costarelli L, Santinelli A, Cerbelli B, Scatena C, Macrì E, Pietribiasi F, d’Amati G, Sapino A, Castellano I. Pathological examination of breast cancer samples before and after neoadjuvant therapy: recommendations from the Italian Group for the Study of Breast Pathology - Italian Society of Pathology (GIPaM-SIAPeC). Pathologica 2022; 114:104-110. [PMID: 35414722 PMCID: PMC9248246 DOI: 10.32074/1591-951x-747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) in breast cancer is administered to downstage the tumor, de-escalate surgery, and provide prognostic information that can be used to tailor subsequent adjuvant therapy. In this respect, the pathological evaluation of both pre-NAT biopsies and post-NAT surgical specimens is crucial to precisely assess the treatment response. With the increasing possibilities of NAT protocols and the rising number of eligible patients, it has become extremely important to standardize the pathological response assessment. Here, we provide an update on the recommendations of the Italian Group for the Study of Breast Pathology - the Italian Society of Pathology (GIPaM-SIAPeC) for the analysis of breast cancer samples before and after NAT.
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