The relationship of tumour-associated macrophages (CD68, CD163, CD11c) and cancer stem cell (CD44) markers with prognostic parameters in breast carcinomas

In invasive breast cancer (IBC), tumour-associated macrophages and cancer stem cells in the tumour microenvironment are thought to be associated with poor prognosis, tumour growth, and metastasis. In this study, we evaluated the relationship of CD68, CD163, CD11c, and CD44 expressions in the tumour microenvironment of IBC with prognostic parameters by immunohistochemical method. A correlation was found between high histological grade, oestrogen receptor/ progesterone receptor negativity, and high Ki-67 index in IBC, and the number of CD68-, CD163-, and CD11c-positive macrophages in the tumour microenvironment. In addition, in the tumour microenvironment, a correlation was found between IBC-specific subtypes and CD68, luminal A subtype relative to luminal B and CD163, HER2 score 3 cases, and CD11c-positive macrophage count. It was observed that CD44 expression in the tumour in IBC was not associated with the parameters examined. In addition, a high-level linear correlation was found between CD68- and CD163- and CD11c-positive macrophage counts. Tumour-associated macrophages in the tumour microenvironment in IBC may be a novel prognostic factor and an alternative avenue for targeted therapies. The fact that CD44 positivity in the tumour is not associated with prognostic parameters will contribute to the literature in this direction.