# Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes benefit prediction of axillary pathologic response and prognostication of event-free survival in HER2-positive and biopsy-proven node-positive breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant therapy.

**Autores:** Liu S, Zeng S, Xia L et al.
**Revista:** Breast Cancer Res Treat (2020)
**PMID:** 33165709 | **PMCID:** —
**DOI:** [10.1007/s10549-020-06015-4](https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-020-06015-4)
**Fuente:** PubMed (abstract only — full text vía DOI)

## Relevancia
Análisis de respuesta axilar y conversión a ypN0 en cáncer de mama HER2+ tratado con quimioterapia neoadyuvante anti-HER2; relevante para definir candidatas a desescalada quirúrgica axilar.

## Abstract
The present study evaluated tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) based on standardized scoring method and investigated its predictive value for axillary pathologic complete response (apCR) and prognostic significance for event-free survival (EFS) in neoadjuvant-treated HER2-positive breast cancer with initially biopsy-proven nodal metastasis.

We assessed TILs in a total of 187 pretherapeutic core biopsies of primary tumors. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted to calculate the optimal cut-off point of TILs in discriminating axillary pathologic response. The associations of TILs with apCR or EFS were investigated by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified a 10% cut-off point of TILs that optimally discriminated apCR from non-apCR (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). High TILs were determined as TILs&#x2009;&#x2265;&#x2009;10%, and tumor with TILs&#x2009;<&#x2009;10% was defined as lymphocyte-depleted breast cancer (LDBC). The apCR rate of the entire cohort was 66.3% (124/187). Tumors with high TILs had a significantly higher apCR rate compared with LDBC (78.5% vs. 43.9%; P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). High TILs (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001), breast pathologic complete response (P&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.006), and negative status of hormone receptor (P&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.021) were independent predictors for apCR. High TILs were a markedly powerful predictor with an odds ratio of 4.01 (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). EFS was significantly better among patients with high TILs than among those with LDBC (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that high TILs (P&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.019) and apCR (P&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.013) were independent predictors for favorable EFS.

TILs have predictive value for apCR and prognostic significance for EFS in initially node-positive and HER2-positive breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant therapy. LDBC (TILs&#x2009;<&#x2009;10%) has a significantly unfavorable impact on apCR rate and EFS.

## Acceso
Vía [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-020-06015-4) o suscripción institucional.

---
*Datos de PubMed. Citar: doi 10.1007/s10549-020-06015-4*
