Clinical and laboratory patterns during immune stimulation in hormone responsive metastatic breast cancer

World Congress on Breast Cancer

August 03-05, 2015 Birmingham, UK

Andrea Nicolini

University of Pisa, Italy

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Cancer Sci Ther

Abstract :

This study clarifies the relationship between clinical and laboratory patterns, in endocrine-responsive metastatic breast cancer patients treated with a cyclic beta-interferon-interleukin-2 sequence added to anti-estrogens. In 31 patients a regular laboratory and immunological assessment was made. During clinical benefit, as opposed to progression, a significant increase in the total number of lymphocytes, CD4+, CD8+, NK cells, CRP and IL-12 was confirmed. Also a significant CEA, TPA, CA15.3 decrease occurred 24-72 hours after interleukin-2 administration. At the progression both basally and after interleukin-2 stimulation, the mean values of CD4+CD25+ cells were more than twice higher than during clinical benefit, with a decrease of CD4+ plus CD8+ (T effector)/CD4+CD25+ (Treg) ratio. Moreover, a significant increase for CEA and for all 3 markers (standardized values) was found 24-72 hours after interleukin-2 administration. In patients who survived less than 5 years, the Treg cell increase occurred at a significantly shorter time interval than in those who survived longer than 5 years (20 vs. 45.5 months respectively; p=0.001). These data show laboratory evidence of the effect of immunotherapy as well as that hormone resistance occurs concomitantly with a laboratory pattern compatible with immune inhibition.