Spatial distribution of B cells and lymphocyte clusters as a predictor of triple-negative breast cancer outcome.

Wortman, Juliana C, He, Ting-Fang, Solomon, Shawn, Zhang, Robert Z, Rosario, Anthony, Wang, Roger, Tu, Travis Y, Schmolze, Daniel, Yuan, Yuan, Yost, Susan E, Li, Xuefei, Levine, Herbert, Atwal, Gurinder, Lee, Peter P, Yu, Clare C (July 2021) Spatial distribution of B cells and lymphocyte clusters as a predictor of triple-negative breast cancer outcome. npj Breast Cancer, 7 (1). p. 84. ISSN 2374-4677

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Abstract

While tumor infiltration by CD8+ T cells is now widely accepted to predict outcomes, the clinical significance of intratumoral B cells is less clear. We hypothesized that spatial distribution rather than density of B cells within tumors may provide prognostic significance. We developed statistical techniques (fractal dimension differences and a box-counting method 'occupancy') to analyze the spatial distribution of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in human triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Our results indicate that B cells in good outcome tumors (no recurrence within 5 years) are spatially dispersed, while B cells in poor outcome tumors (recurrence within 3 years) are more confined. While most TILs are located within the stroma, increased numbers of spatially dispersed lymphocytes within cancer cell islands are associated with a good prognosis. B cells and T cells often form lymphocyte clusters (LCs) identified via density-based clustering. LCs consist either of T cells only or heterotypic mixtures of B and T cells. Pure B cell LCs were negligible in number. Compared to tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), LCs have fewer lymphocytes at lower densities. Both types of LCs are more abundant and more spatially dispersed in good outcomes compared to poor outcome tumors. Heterotypic LCs in good outcome tumors are smaller and more numerous compared to poor outcome. Heterotypic LCs are also closer to cancer islands in a good outcome, with LC size decreasing as they get closer to cancer cell islands. These results illuminate the significance of the spatial distribution of B cells and LCs within tumors.

Item Type:	Paper
Subjects:	organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types > B cells organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types > B cells organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types > B cells diseases & disorders > cancer > cancer types > breast cancer diseases & disorders > cancer > drugs and therapies > patient outcomes
CSHL Authors:	Atwal, Gurinder Singh
Communities:	CSHL labs > Atwal lab
SWORD Depositor:	CSHL Elements
Depositing User:	CSHL Elements
Date:	1 July 2021
Date Deposited:	06 Jul 2021 18:15
Last Modified:	21 Jul 2021 15:18
PMCID:	PMC8249408
URI:	https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/40246

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