Abstract B39: Distinct recruitment of tumor-associated immune cells correlates with increased pro-malignant chemokines in tumors expressing epithelial Atypical Chemokine Receptor 1 (ACKR1/DARC)

The tumor microenvironment is a complex heterogeneous mixture of cancer cells, immune cells, and many other cell types contributing to a myriad of clinical outcomes for breast cancer (BrCa) patients. Chemokine receptors play an important role in maintaining the homeostasis of pro-inflammatory chemokines, and, in turn, help direct the migration of tumor-associated immune cells. Atypical chemokine receptors, such as the Atypical Chemokine Receptor 1 (ACKR1/DARC), act to sequester chemokine activity and control leukocyte migration during tumor-associated inflammation. ACKR1 is unique in that its associated gene carries a fixed mutation in African populations, causing the receptor to not be expressed on red blood cells as a response to endemic malaria in Africa. It is well-known that African-Americans in the United States tend to develop more aggressive BrCa subtypes, and as a result, experience more deaths per year from BrCa related causes. The purpose of this study is to characterize this disparity by investigating the distinct migration of tumor-associated immune cells between ACKR1 positive and negative tumors. We also wish to determine any correlations between ACKR1 and pro-inflammatory chemokines in various BrCa cell types. Using immunohistochemistry, relative expression levels were determined for ACKR1, cytotoxic T-cells, B-cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages in primary breast tumor samples. The levels of pro-inflammatory chemokines in circulation were determined using...
Source: Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: Cancer Genetics/Gene Expression: Poster Presentations - Proffered Abstracts Source Type: research