BIOLOGY OF BREAST DUCTAL CARCINOMA IN SITU AND ITS MICROENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) accounts for a quarter of all newly detected breast cancers. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic relevance of immune infiltrates, collagen architecture, and microinvasion (Mi) in DCIS. Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E), immunohistochemistry, and multiplex immunofluorescence were performed on DCIS sections to study the influence of immune infiltrates on prognosis. H&E staining was carried out on DCIS-Mi sections to evaluate the association of multifocal Mi and clinicopathological features. Second harmonic imaging was conducted on DCIS sections to explore the association of collagen parameters with clinicopathological parameters. High-grade DCIS was associated with higher densities of immune infiltrates as well as a high collagen area ratio and fibre density. Some immune biomarkers could predict for recurrence and/or ipsilateral invasive recurrence. The findings have identified promising biomarkers from both the immune and collagen profiles that maybe associated with certain prognostic outcomes and features in DCIS.