Introduction. Diabetes is not only a risk factor for breast carcinoma, but it also compromises the immune response of the body. CD68 receptor is considered to play a critical role in promoting phagocytosis, but its role in breast carcinoma is not fully understood.
The aim of the study was to assess the localizations and densities of tumour-associated macrophages CD68+ in breast carcinoma, that is associated or non-associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Material and methods. We performed immunohistochemical tests in 72 invasive breast carcinomas of non-stress test (NST) type. In 29 of cases, the tumours were associated with diabetes.
Results. We found that infiltration of peritumoral CD68+ cells (12.4±2.2, Me=8), was higher in comparison to intratumoural sites. The CD68+ cells content in peritumoural sites was in statistical relationship of cancer cells mitotic activity (rs=0.44, p=0.01), pT status (rs=0.33, p=0.04), Ki67 (rs=0.31, p=0.05) and HER2 expressions (rs=0.34, p=0.04). Moreover, the intratumoural content of CD68 cells depends on its population from peritumoral stroma.
Conclusions. The results of our study on breast cancer associated with type 2 diabetes suggest that macrophages can contribute to tumour progression. Further research is needed to clarify a precise mechanism and identify therapeutic targets for intervention.
Keywords: macrophages, microenvironnement, estrogen, progesterone, inflammation, Ki67.
Full text sources https://doi.org/10.31688/ABMU.2024.59.3.03
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Ecaterina FOCA
Address: Department of Histology, Cytology and Embryology, Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Stefan cel Mare str. 192, Chisinau, MD-2004, Republic of Moldova
E-mail: ecaterina.foca@usmf.md; Phone +373-60033099
