*Corresponding author: (e-mail: mukherjeen@nirrch.res.in)
**Co-corresponding author: (e-mail: pratikchandrani@gmail.com).
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer (BC) is one of the leading cancers among Indian women. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) which lacks ER, PR, and HER2 receptors is a subtype of BC that accounts for 15 to 20% of BC cases. Present study envisages the immunomodulatory role of Toll like receptor (TLR) in pathogenesis of TNBC.
Methods: For this, the expression of TLR4 pathway-associated genes was examined in TNBC tumor by immunofluorescence imaging and ELISA. Also, the same was validated in TCGA TNBC transcriptome dataset.
Results: The results of the analysis showed the difference in TLR4 expression in tumor nest and in stromal cell compartment of TNBC tumors. Also, a significant correlation (r = 0.99, p = 0.04) in expression between TLR4 and IFNϒ was observed in immune cell low TNBC patients. Interestingly, analysis of TNBC TCGA datasets indicated longer survival probability in TNBC patients with high TLR 4 and IFNϒ.
Conclusion: Our data show a synergistic association of TLR4 and IFNϒ signaling in pathogenesis of TNBC.
