ECM-Induced IL-23 Drives Immune Suppression in Breast Cancer via Regulating PD-1 on Tregs.

ABSTRACT:

Background

High-grade breast cancer (HGBC) is an aggressive disease with poor prognosis, underscoring the need for new treatment strategies. The tumor microenvironment (TME), particularly the extracellular matrix (ECM), plays a pivotal role in tumor progression, therapy resistance, and immune regulation. An ECM-related gene signature (defined ECM3), found in approximately 35% of HGBC cases, is associated with aggressive tumors, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), poor clinical outcome and increased infiltration of immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs).

Methods

In this study, we investigated the impact of the ECM on T cell regulation in HGBC patients, focusing on the relationship between ECM3 + tumors and T cell phenotypes. We employed mouse model

SUBMITTER: Talarico G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12400771 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature