This objective of this study was to investigate the expression of
chemokine receptors in
tumor cells and leukocytes in
breast carcinoma effusions. The expression of leukocyte markers (CD3/4/8/14/16/19) and
chemokine receptors (CXCR1/4, CCR2/5/7) was studied in 21
breast carcinoma effusions using flow cytometry.
Breast carcinoma cells expressed CXCR4 in 7/21 (33%) effusions, with less frequent expression of CXCR1, CCR5, and CCR7. CXCR2 and CCR2 were absent. Lymphocytes showed frequent CXCR4, CCR5, and CCR7 expression, while CXCR1, CXCR2, CCR2 were rarely or never detected. Macrophages expressed all six receptors except for CXCR2. Comparative analysis of
breast carcinoma effusions with previously studied ovarian and cervical/endometrial
adenocarcinomas (ACs) showed significantly higher CXCR4 expression in
breast carcinoma cells compared to the other gynecological ACs (p = 0.001). Breast and cervical/
endometrial carcinoma effusions showed different expression of
chemokine receptors in lymphocytes (lower CXCR1, higher CXCR4 and CCR7 levels; p = 0.012, p = 0.005, p < 0.001, respectively) and macrophages (higher CCR7 levels; p < 0.001), as well as lower CD8 counts (p < 0.001) and higher CD19 counts (p = 0.001) compared to ovarian
carcinoma effusions. Higher numbers of CD8-positive lymphocytes (p = 0.080) and higher CCR7 monocyte expression (p = 0.087) were associated with a trend for shorter disease-free survival. In conclusion,
breast carcinoma cells express CXCR4, a unique feature among metastatic ACs in effusions, with rare expression of other
chemokine receptors.
Chemokine receptor expression in leukocytes and lymphocyte counts significantly differ from those of ovarian
carcinoma effusions. The prognostic role of CCR7 expression in monocytes and CD8 counts in
breast carcinoma effusions merits further research.