Association between FOXP۳ Expression and Disease-Free Survival in Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Background & Objective: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking estrogen, progesterone, and HER۲ receptors, often leading to poor prognosis due to high recurrence and metastasis. FOXP۳ expression, associated with suppressed anti-tumor immunity, is a potential prognostic marker in TNBC. However, the association between FOXP۳ expression and disease-free survival (DFS) in TNBC remains controversial. This study aims to explore the relationship between FOXP۳ expression and DFS in TNBC patients, contributing to the understanding of its prognostic significance.Methods: This retrospective study included ۴۷ TNBC patients. Immunohistochemistry examination assessed FOXP۳ expression, which was then categorized into low and high expression based on an optimal cut-off point. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using Cox regression test to determine association between variables and DFS. Survival analysis was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test.Results: All patients were female mostly over ۵۰ years old (۶۶%). The majority had tumors >۲ cm (۸۷.۲%) and LVI (۶۶%). High-grade tumors (grade ۳) were predominant (۹۳.۶%). Most patients showed moderate TIL levels (۹۱.۵%). No significant associations were found between FOXP۳ expression and age (p=۰.۲۵۳), tumor size (p=۰.۳۰۸), lymph node status (p=۰.۴۶۶), tumor grade (p=۰.۴۷۶), LVI (p=۰.۴۲۲), patient's stage (p=۰.۶۴۴), and TILs (p=۰.۷۸۳). However, high FOXP۳ expression was significantly associated with worse DFS (p=۰.۰۱۹). Additionally, a higher stage was associated with worse DFS (p=۰.۰۰۲).Conclusion: High FOXP۳ expression is associated with lower DFS in TNBC patients. FOXP۳ expression was not associated with age, tumor size, lymph node status, tumor grade, LVI, TILs, or cancer stage.

کلیدواژه ها:

FOXP۳ Protein ، Disease-Free Survival ، Triple Negative breast neoplasms