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Breast

E48: Impact of Race on Cytokine Profiles in Patients with Triple-Negative Inflammatory Breast Cancer: An Exploratory Analysis

    ePoster Abstract Author(s)

  • Jennifer H. Chen, MD

    Research Resident
    University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
    Houston, Texas, United States

    • Submitter(s)

  • Jennifer H. Chen, MD

    Research Resident
    University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
    Houston, Texas, United States

    • Author(s)

  • SM

    Salyna Meas, n/a

    Research Assistant
    University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, United States

  • NK

    Negar Koupaei, BS

    Research Assistant
    University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, United States

  • DR

    Dhruvajyoti Roy, PhD

    Assistant Professor
    The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, United States

  • RT

    Rebecca Tidwell, MS

    Principal Biostatistician
    The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, United States

  • Wendy Woodward, MD PhD (she/her/hers)

    Professor
    Department of Breast Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
    Houston, Texas, United States

  • Anthony Lucci, Jr., MD

    Professor
    Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
    Houston, Texas, United States

Introduction: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare, aggressive tumor subtype that disproportionally affects Black women. Studies suggest differing cytokine expressions may correlate with disease progression and survival in breast cancer. This study explores the impact of race on cytokine profiles and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with triple-negative IBC (TN IBC) and their potential use in identifying poor responders to treatment.   

Methods: Patients diagnosed with TN IBC from 2014-2023 were enrolled in a single-center prospective study. Serial plasma samples were collected at baseline prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), post-NAC prior to surgery, and 6-months and 1-year post-surgery. Cytokine profiles were generated from baseline plasma samples using the CodePlex Cytokine Storm Panel (Isoplexis), which measures 18 cytokines commonly involved in inflammatory and immune signaling pathways. CTC enumeration was performed with CellSearch. Cytokine distributions are presented with violin plots. Mann-Whitney test was used to compare differences between groups. Survival and follow-up time were estimated by Kaplan-Meier methods.

Results: A total of 16 patients with TN IBC were included, of which 7 (43.8%) were White, 4 (25%) Black, and 5 (31.3%) Other (Asian, Hispanic, Egyptian). The median age was 51.5 years (25-72) and BMI was 29.5 kg/m2 (18.5-61.5). Clinical stage ranged from stage IIIB (2, 12.5%), IIIC (10, 62.5%), and IV (4, 25%). Patients predominantly had N3 (12, 75%), high-grade disease with ductal histology (13, 81.3%). Thirteen patients (81.3%) underwent modified radical mastectomy. Black patients had higher levels of baseline interleukin cytokines, particularly IL-6 (p= 0.029), and macrophage inflammatory protein-1 (MIP-1b, p=0.028), compared to White and Other (Asian, Hispanic, Egyptian) patients. Majority of patients had positive CTC at baseline (13/15, 86.7%), including 3 out of 4 Black patients. Of the 6 patients, including 1 Black, 1 Asian, 2 Hispanic, who achieved CTC clearance after NAC, all had recurrent positive CTCs at either 6 or 12-months post-surgery. At a median follow-up period of 45.9 months, 5 patients, including 1 Black, 1 Asian, and 1 Egyptian, subsequently recurred, and 6 died. 

Conclusions: Racial variations in cytokine profiles of patients with TN IBC may suggest inherent differences in tumor biology or immune suppressive stroma. Incorporation and reporting of diverse populations in CTC surveillance and cytokine profiling is critical to understand and mitigate racial disparities.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe the current landscape of racial impact on outcomes in patients with breast cancer
  • Characterize the impact of race/ethnicity on differential cytokine profiles in patients with triple negative inflammatory breast cancer
  • Examine the role of liquid biopsy in disease surveillance in patients with triple negative inflammatory breast cancer