Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

BACKGROUND: CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have emerged as a prognostic indicator in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). There is debate surrounding the prognostic value of hot spots for CD8+ TIL enumeration. METHODS: We compared hot spot versus whole-tumor CD8+ TIL enumeration in prognosticating TNBC using immunohistochemistry on whole tissue sections and quantification by digital image analysis (Halo imaging analysis software; Indica Labs, Corrales, NM). A wide range of clinically relevant hot spot sizes was evaluated. RESULTS: CD8+ TIL enumeration was independently statistically significant for all hot spot sizes and whole-tumor annotations for disease-free survival by multivariate analysis. A 10× objective (2.2 mm diameter) hot spot was found to correlate significantly with overall survival (P = .04), while the remaining hot spots and whole-tumor CD8+ TIL enumeration did not (P > .05). Statistical significance was not demonstrated when comparing between hot spots and whole-tumor annotations, as the groups had overlapping confidence intervals. CONCLUSION: CD8+ TIL hot spot enumeration is equivalent to whole-tumor enumeration for prognostication in TNBC and may serve as a good alternative methodology in future studies and clinical practice.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.clbc.2018.04.019

Type

Journal article

Journal

Clin Breast Cancer

Publication Date

12/2018

Volume

18

Pages

451 - 458.e1

Keywords

Carcinoma, TIL, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast, Carcinoma, Lobular, Cohort Studies, Combined Modality Therapy, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating, Middle Aged, Prognosis, Survival Rate, Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms