Dynamics of T cell subpopulations and plasma cytokines during the first year of antineoplastic therapy in patients with breast cancer: the BEGYN-1 study
Kaiser E, Weber R, Hirschstein M, Mazid H, Kapps EMS, Hans MC, Bous M, Goedicke-Fritz S, Wagenpfeil G, Zemlin M, Solomayer EF, Müller C, Zemlin C (2025)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2025
Journal
Book Volume: 27
Article Number: 50
Journal Issue: 1
DOI: 10.1186/s13058-025-01997-9
Abstract
Background: The role of T cell immunity during antineoplastic therapy is poorly understood. In the BEGYN-1 study, patients with breast cancer underwent quarterly assessments prior to and during antineoplastic therapy over a period of 12 months. Methods: We used flow cytometry and multiplex immunoassays to quantify 25 T cell subpopulations and seven T cell associated plasma cytokines in peripheral blood from 92 non-metastatic breast cancer patients, respectively. In addition, the association between T cell dynamics and the outcome of patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy was investigated. Results: In patients undergoing chemotherapy, a significant reduction in T helper (Th) cells, particularly naïve central and effector cells and thymus positive Th cells, was observed over time. Interestingly, Th1 immune response-associated cytokines (IL-12, TNF, IFN-γ) declined while Th2 cells and cytotoxic T cells increased over time. Conclusions: We conclude that in breast cancer patients, chemotherapy is associated with a transition from a Th1 immune response towards Th2 and an increase in cytotoxic T cells, whereas in patients without chemotherapy, these alterations were less pronounced. Future studies should clarify whether patterns of T cell subsets or plasma cytokines can be used as biomarkers to monitor or even improve therapeutic interventions.
Involved external institutions
Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Kaiser, E., Weber, R., Hirschstein, M., Mazid, H., Kapps, E.M.S., Hans, M.C.,... Zemlin, C. (2025). Dynamics of T cell subpopulations and plasma cytokines during the first year of antineoplastic therapy in patients with breast cancer: the BEGYN-1 study. BREAST CANCER RES , 27(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13058-025-01997-9
MLA:
Kaiser, Elisabeth, et al. "Dynamics of T cell subpopulations and plasma cytokines during the first year of antineoplastic therapy in patients with breast cancer: the BEGYN-1 study." BREAST CANCER RES 27.1 (2025).
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