The Role of Mucosal Associated Invariant t Lymphocytes in Breast Cancer

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Breast Cancer

• Registration Number: NCT07000396
• Lead Sponsor: Assiut University

Brief Summary

Evaluation of MAIT cells in patient recently diagnosed as cancer breast and its correlation with clinical outcome.

Mucosal Associated Invariant T cells are a population of unconventional T cells which are enriched in mucosal tissues such as the lung and gut but are also present in other tissues including the skin, adipose tissue and the liver \[4,5,6,7\]. Unlike conventional T cells, MAIT cells are not restricted by MHC but recognize the MHC-related protein MR1. MAIT cells express a semi-invariant TCR α-chain (Vα7.2-Jα33/20/12 in humans) and a limited repository of TCR-β chains, mostly from the TRBV20 and TRBV6 gene families \[8,9\]

MAIT cells can also be activated independent of TCR engagement, via pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-18 \[10,11,12\]. Upon activation, MAIT cells can rapidly respond, producing a milieu of cytokines including interferon-gamma , tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-17 \[11,14\]. MAIT cell cytokine profiles can vary depending on their tissue localization \[15\].

Peripheral MAIT cells are potent producers of IFNγ and TNFα, whereas IL-17 producing MAIT cells are rare in the periphery but are more abundant in, for example, the female genital mucosa \[16\]. In addition to cytokine production, A central role in immune protection against cancer is played by T lymphocytes, particularly CD8+ T cells .Their infiltration in tumor cell nests is usually associated with a favorable prognosis and may predict outcome of therapies with drugs that block immune inhibitory receptors (checkpoint blockade.

A recent meta-analysis reported that tumor-infiltrating CD8+ lymphocytes can be identified in 48% of all breast cancers .Interestingly, triple-negative breast cancers show the highest incidence of lymphocyte predominance. Moreover, TILs were found to be prognostic in triple-negative breast cancer, and higher levels of TILs were predictive for trastuzumab benefit in HER2+ disease. These findings suggest that therapies that enforce immune responses could potentially improve patient survival.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-05
• Study First Submitted: 2025-05-24
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-05-24
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-05-24
• Study First Posted: 2025-06-02
• Last Update Posted: 2025-06-02
• Study Start: 2025-12-01
• Primary Completion: 2026-08-01
• Study Completion: 2026-12-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 74

Inclusion Criteria

• Female patients admitted at South Egypt cancer institute who diagnosed as breast cancer based on full clinical, radiologic and pathologic assays

Exclusion Criteria

1. Patients receive any anti-cancer therapy.
2. Patients diagnosed with other concomitante cancer or chronic disease

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Relation between mucosal associated invariant t lymphocytes and breast cancer outcome	Baseline	The role of mucosal associated invariant t lymphocytes in breast cancer