Blood levels of circulating tumor cells and factors of growth and progression in patients with locally advanced triple negative breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Abstract

Active screening for early detection of breast cancer and new treatment options have significantly reduced mortality from breast cancer. However, a significant number of patients with non-metastatic breast cancer have advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a specific cancer subtype characterized with deep invasiveness, high metastatic potential, tendency to recurrence, and poor prognosis. It is known to have no application to endocrine therapy or anti-HER2 therapy. The search for new markers is an important direction in predicting the course of the disease and the effectiveness of treatment, monitoring progression and relapse. This study presents an analysis of blood levels of factors of growth and progression (TGFβ, TGFR2, TNFα. TNFαR1, TNFαR2, CD-44 and MMP-9) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in 56 patients with locally advancer TNBC after complex treatment. We identified a complex of growth and progression factors that determines the sensitivity and resistance to chemotherapy in all BC subtypes. Decreased levels of TGF-β, TNFα, MMP-9, CD-44 and CTCs after neoadjuvant chemotherapy determine further remission during 3 years. On the contrary, stabilization or elevation of these parameters leads to an early tumor progression.