ASCO 2021 | Immune markers predict overall survival in BC patients with brain metastases

Gaia Griguolo, MD, Instituto Oncologico Veneto I.R.C.C.S, Padova, Italy, discusses a study of immune checkpoint biomarkers in breast cancer brain metastases to investigate associations between immune marker densities, disease subtype, and overall survival. Using multiplex immunofluorescence, CD3, PD1, PD-L1, TIM3, LAG3, and CD163 were analyzed in 60 brain metastasis samples. The results showed that CD163 density, representative of M2 macrophage polarization, was significantly associated with overall survival across all subgroups. Dr Griguolo talks on the implications of these findings, including how PI3K inhibitors could be used therapeutically to divert macrophage polarization. Additionally, stromal TIM3-positive cell density showed differential expression across breast cancer subtype, with highest density in hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. Higher density was significantly associated with longer survival in this subgroup. This interview took place at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2021 Virtual Meeting.