Researchers revealed that they have developed a new way through which they were able to detect the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.

Triple negative breast cancers are those that do not have estrogen or progesterone receptors, and do not have an excess of the HER2 protein on the cancer cell surfaces. This makes it more difficult to treat because the hormone-blocking or the HER2-targeting treatments do not work. Triple negative breast cancers tend to occur more often in younger women and in African-American women.
Platinum-based therapies are being tested in clinical trials for triple-negative breast cancer, and evaluation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes is an important factor in determining response to this treatment. For oncologists, this could provide a new tool to individualize treatment for these women.
Researchers from various institutions in the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, one of the largest clinical cancer research organizations in the United States that conducts clinical trials in all types of adult cancers, contributed to this analysis. Funding for this study was provided by Breast Cancer Research Foundation, ASCO Conquer Cancer Foundation, Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Foundation, Myriad Genetics, and National Institutes of Health (Stanford CTSA).
About the Study
Oral Abstract Session
Breast Cancer - Triple-Negative/Cytotoxics/Local Therapy
Abstract #1024: June 3, 9:45 AM - 12:45 PM
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The trial evaluated 70 patients with triple-negative breast cancer who had completed at least 4 of 6 planned cycles of therapy. Tissue and tumor sections from pre-chemotherapy biopsies were evaluated by a central pathologist for density of lymphocytes. Pathologic response was assessed by the residual cancer burden index.
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Source-Eurekalert