Tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells, CD8/Treg ratio, and cancer stem cells are correlated with lymph node metastasis in patients with early breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are an important component of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in breast cancer. They have been linked with tumor pathogenesis in advanced stages. However, little is known about their contribution in early phases. In this study, we analyzed the infiltration of leukocytes and cancer stem cells (CSC) in tumors from patients with early breast cancer. METHODS: Samples of blood and tumor tissue from 30 patients with breast cancer were collected, and the number of dendritic cells (DC), T cells, and CSC were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Tumor-infiltrating CD4 and CD8 T cells expressed higher levels of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) compared with peripheral T cells. Regulatory T cells (Treg) were enriched in tumors and overexpressed glucocorticoid-induced TNFR-related protein and CTLA-4. Tumor Treg had a positive correlation with the amount of myeloid DC (mDC) and disease progression. The CD8/Treg ratio was associated with lymph node metastasis and tumor stages. The main subset of DC in early breast tumors was mDC, while plasmacytoid DC were almost absent. CSC were present in most tumors with higher frequencies in patients with lymph node metastasis. CSC were also associated with the amount of tumor-infiltrating Treg. CONCLUSION: Early breast cancer has an inflammatory milieu characterized by mDC, Treg, and CSC infiltration. The frequencies of Treg, CSC and CD8/Treg ratio were associated with disease progression. The composition of leukocytes and the presence of CSC in early breast tumors should be considered for the development of new therapeutic approaches.

[Main immunoregulatory mechanisms that favor breast cancer development]. / Principales mecanismos inmunorreguladores que favorecen el desarrollo del cáncer de mama.

Even after the improvements made in recent years in early diagnosis and treatments, breast cancer is still the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in women around the world. Several attempts to design new alternative therapies like immunotherapy have been evaluated in clinical trials, but they have shown limited efficacy. The failure of immunotherapy may be related to suppressive mechanisms in the tumor environment. Consequently, the development of new immunotherapy based treatment strategies is very important to understand the immunoregulatory mechanisms present in the tumor microenvironment. Some of the immunoregulatory mechanisms described in breast cancer will be discussed in this review.

[Mozart's music in the prenatal period]. / La música de Mozart en el periodo prenatal.

Diverse studies demonstrate that the future baby reacts to the sounds and the light in uterus four months before being born, that is to say, he is able to recognize stimulus which was exposed habitually, like the beats of the mothers heart and the voice of the same one when talk him before being born, likewise the music he used to heard during pregnancy. The babies who through their mother listened to music of Mozart in uterus and return it to listen in the delivery room of when they are born feel greater tranquility and less aggressiveness. Mozart was a genius and the most beautiful from it is the so important impact in the cognitive development, social and affective of those who are exposed to the wonderful sounds and rythm of music from the maternal belly. The previous thing is based on experiments scientifically controlled that revalue the communication between the mother and the future baby as well as the importance of this link.