CD1a down-regulation in primary invasive ductal breast carcinoma may predict regional lymph node invasion and patient outcome

Histopathology. 2008 Jan;52(2):203-12. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2007.02919.x.

Abstract

Aims: CD1a is a molecule belonging to the highly conserved group of CD1 proteins. Its expression in dendritic cells is related to the presentation of tumour-derived glycolipid antigens to T cells and, consequently, the development of a successful antitumour response. The aim was to investigate the presence of CD1a+ cells in both primary tumours and lymph nodes (LN) of a series of 35 invasive ductal carcinomas by both immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

Methods and results: CD1a antigen was more expressed in N0 than N1 breast cancer (P < 0.0001) in both primary lesions and LN metastases and correlated positively and significantly with oestrogen (ER) (P = 0.0025) and progesterone (P = 0.0226) receptor (PR) status, as well as CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte infiltration.

Conclusions: This is the first report to show a link between CD1a+ mononuclear cells in breast cancer and in paired LN metastases. The positive and significant correlations between the number of CD1a+ cells and positivity of the primary tumour for ER and PR suggest a possible role for CD1a as a prognostic marker for breast cancer, raising the possibility that hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients may have a better prognosis in the presence of greater dendritic cell infiltration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antigens, CD1 / genetics
  • Antigens, CD1 / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / pathology
  • Dendritic Cells
  • Down-Regulation*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / diagnosis*
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism
  • Receptors, Progesterone / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens, CD1
  • CD1a antigen
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Receptors, Progesterone