Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is equally expressed in inflammatory breast cancer and noninflammatory locally advanced breast cancer : a possible association with chemotherapy response

Abstract

Aim: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is the most aggressive form of locally advanced breast can- cer. The signs of inflammation such as hyperemia and hyperthermia might suggest the possible participation of inflammatory mediators. This study investigates stromal and tumor expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-B) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in samples obtained from IBC and noninflammatory locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) and the influence of these markers on patients’ prognosis. Methods: Demographic data, tumor molecular characteristics and overall survival in both groups were also assessed. Furthermore, in this study, we evaluated the expression of IL-18 and p50 nuclear fraction of NF-B by immunohistochemistry in specimens from IBC and LABC (T4b). Results: We observed that 24.6% of women were diagnosed with IBC up to age 40. In addition, the patients with IBC showed a lower overall survival when compared to LABC. In regard to molecu- lar markers, ER + , C-erbB2 − or triple negative IBC patients showed a significantly reduced over- all survival. In addition, a higher IL-18 immunostaining in stroma of IBC and LABC was observed in comparison with tumor cells, but stromal immunoexpression was similar between IBC and LABC. Besides, IL-18 positivity seemed be related with a better clinical response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. However, NF-B expression was identical in both groups. Conclusion: The IL-18 is present in tumor stroma of IBC and LABC and seems to be associated with the complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.