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Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy

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Open Access 01-03-2009 | Original Article

Possible involvement of regulatory T cells in tumor onset and progression in primary breast cancer

Authors: Masahiro Ohara, Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi, Kazuo Matsuura, Shigeru Murakami, Koji Arihiro, Morihito Okada

Published in: Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy | Issue 3/2009

Abstract

Background

The FOXP3 mRNA expression and the other regulatory T cell-related molecules were investigated and compared with clinicopathological parameters in human primary breast cancer.

Method

This study included 136 breast cancer patients operated in our department from 2003 to 2006. Total RNA was extracted from frozen normal breast and breast cancer tissues, and the expression of FOXP3, IL-10, TGFβ1 and CCL22 mRNA was evaluated using quantitative real-time RT-PCR.

Result

FOXP3, IL-10, TGFβ1 and CCL22 mRNA expressions were significantly higher in cancer tissue than in normal tissue, not only at pT1, 2, and 3 stages but also at the DCIS stage. There were positive correlations between FOXP3 and IL-10, FOXP3 and TGFβ1, as well as FOXP3 and CCL22 mRNA expressions, respectively. FOXP3 and IL-10 mRNA expressions were significantly upregulated in PgR-negative or HER2-positive tumors.

Conclusion

These results suggest that regulatory T cells are involved in tumor onset and progression in human primary breast cancer, possibly contributing to poor prognosis of patients with breast cancer.

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Title: Possible involvement of regulatory T cells in tumor onset and progression in primary breast cancer
Authors: Masahiro Ohara
Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi
Kazuo Matsuura
Shigeru Murakami
Koji Arihiro
Morihito Okada
Publication date: 01-03-2009
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy / Issue 3/2009
Print ISSN: 0340-7004
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0851
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00262-008-0570-x

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Abstract

Background

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