| Objective: This study was to evaluate the expression of T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing molecules family-3(TIM-3)on breast invasive ductal carcinoma cells and their clinical significances.Explore the expression of TIM-3 on tumor infiltrating cytotoxic lymphocytes(CTL) and its relations with CTL’s infiltration, and further understand the relationship between immune microenvironment and tumor invasiverness. Method:We collected 150 cases diagnosed with breast invasive ductal carcinoma in the breast surgery department of The affiliated hospital of Luzhou medical colledge between April 2013~April 2015.Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression of TIM-3 on breast invasive ductal carcinoma cells and tumor infiltrating cytotoxic lymphocytes(n=150),and normal breast tissue(n=50) 、 fibroadenoma of breast(n=50).Abnornal expression of TIM-3 and tumor infiltrating CTL and their relationship with clinicopathologic parameters in breast invasive ductal carcinoma was investageted. Results:1.the positive expression of TIM-3 in breast invasive ductal carcinoma and normal breast tissue、bresat fibroadenoma was 98%、20%、6%respectively.The postive expression of TIM-3 in breast invasive ductal carcinoma was significantly higher than normal breast canncer(P<0.05). 2.there was significantly elevated expression of TIM-3 on tumor cell in patients with breast canncer in the old aged, axillary lymph node metastases,clinical stages(P<0.05); there was also significantly elevated expression of TIM-3 on tumor infiltrating cytotoxic lymphocytes in patients with breast canncer in the axillary lymph node metastases,clinical stages, WHO gradings(P<0.05);There was significant relationship between the number of tumor infiltrating cytotoxic lymphocytes and The diameter of the primary tumor, axillary lymph node metastasis, the WHO gradings, Ki- 67, molecular subtyping,the expression of TIM- 3 on CTL cells.But there was no significant relationship between the number of tumor infiltrating cytotoxic lymphocytes and the expression of TIM- 3 on primary tumor cells. 3. the expression of TIM- 3 on CTL cells was negatively correlated with the number of tumor infiltrating cytotoxic lymphocytes(r =-0.365, P < 0.05). the expression of TIM- 3 on tumor cellswas negatively correlated with the expression of E- Cad, 34βE12 on tumor cells(r=-1.90,-1,83,P<0.05). Conclusion: 1. TIM- 3 may has a negative regulation role in immune regulation in breast cancer; 2. The expression of TIM- 3 on CTL cells has obvious inhibitory effect on the function of the CTL cells; 3. TIM- 3 negative immune adjustment may be related to tumor invasion and metastasis. |
