5P - Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) presence and stromal blood vessels heterogeneity differentially influence recurrence, lymphovascular, and perineural invasion in breast cancer molecular subtypes

Background

Tertiary Lymphoid Structures (TLS) mediate local antitumor immunity. Since cancer immunotherapy, TLS interests grown considerably. We examined TLS and tumor stromal blood vessels for BC molecular subtypes associated with recurrence, lymphovascu-lar (LIV), and perineural invasion (PnI).

Methods

CD34/SMA double immunostaining revealed TLS high endothelial venules and BC tumor stromal immature and mature blood vessels. Statistical study linked microscopic data to recurrence, LIV, and PnI.

Results

TLS- subgroups have higher LIV, PnI, and recurrence (p<0.001), except for Luminal A type. LIV and PnI rise in HER2+/TLS- subgroups (p<0.001). TNBC/TLS- had the highest recurrence and invasion risks. TNBC/TLS- subgroup recurrence is related to tumor grade and LIV/PnI (p<0.001), unlike other TLS- subgroups. PnI but not LVI are related with TNBC/TLS+ subgroup recurrence (p<0.001).

Conclusions

TLS affect BC molecular subtype recurrence, LVI, and PnI differently. Its antitumor immunity mediator seems closely associated to tumor aggressiveness and stromal blood vessels.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.