IMMUNOLOGICAL PROFILE OF SEROUS OVARIAN CARCINOMA AND DUCTAL BREAST CARCINOMA

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the immunological profile of serous ovarian carcinoma and ductal breast carcinoma, as well as the activity of apoptotic markers as a prognostic factor of sensitivity to immunotherapy. Methods: The study included 53 patients with serous ovarian adenocarcinoma, stage II-III, or breast cancer T2-4N0-3M0-1, and 39 women in the control group with oophorectomy or breast fibroadenoma not associated with tumor pathology. The analysis included immunohistochemical determination of CD4+, CD8+, CD20+, and CD163+ cells, as well as bcl-2 and CD95 expression in tumor and healthy tissues. Statistical processing was performed using nonparametric statistical methods. Results: CD8+ cytotoxic lymphocytes and CD163+ macrophages predominated in ovarian tumor tissue, and their number increased statistically significantly compared with conditionally healthy tissue. CD4+ T-helper cells were less common. A similar cell distribution was observed in the demarcation zone. In breast cancer, macrophages and T-helper cells were the most numerous. Expression of the anti-apoptotic marker bcl-2 was reduced in tumor tissue, whereas the pro-apoptotic marker CD95 showed high expression in both carcinoma localizations. These changes confirm the complex mechanisms of immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment. Conclusion: The immunological profile of serous ovarian carcinoma and breast cancer is characterized by pronounced infiltration of cytotoxic lymphocytes, T-helper cells, and macrophages, as well as changes in the expression of apoptotic markers. These data may be useful for optimizing ovarian cancer immunotherapy. Keywords: Ovarian cancer, breast cancer, tumor microenvironment, lymphocytic infiltration, macrophages.