Natural killer (NK) cell profiles in blood and tumour in women with large and locally advanced breast cancer (LLABC) and their contribution to a pathological complete response (PCR) in the tumour following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC): differential restoration of blood profiles by NAC and surgery

Table 2 NK (CD3⁻CD16⁺CD56^dim) cells in the blood of women with LLABCs (n = 16) undergoing NAC and subsequent surgery

Baseline (B) levels in LLABCs versus (v) completion of chemotherapy (CC) levels in different responders
Study group comparisons		NK (%)
Good pathological responders	B	6.50 ± 2.50
[Groups I and II]	CC	14.77 ± 2.00
(n = 9)	CC v B	P = 0.006**
Poor pathological responders	B	7.23 ± 1.50
[Groups III and IV]	CC	7.01 ± 2.00
(n = 7)	CC v B	P = 0.115
Complete pathological responders	PCR	14.52 ± 3.00
[PCR] (n = 6)	HFDs	6.00 ± 1.75
Healthy female donors (HFDs) (n = 10)	PCR v HFDs	P = 0.001**

Baseline (B) levels in LLABCs versus (v) post surgical resection (SR) levels in different responders
Study group comparisons		NK (%)
Good pathological responders	B	6.50 ± 1.50
[Groups I and II]	SR	9.31 ± 2.10
(n = 9)	SR v B	P = 0.147
Poor pathological responders	B	7.23 ± 1.50
[Groups III and IV]	SR	5.00 ± 2.20
(n = 7)	SR v B	P = 0.128
Complete pathological responders	PCR	11.60 ± 3.00
[PCR] (n = 6)	HFDs	6.00 ± 1.75
Healthy female donors (HFDs) (n = 10)	PCR v HFDs	P = 0.007**

LLABCs large (≥3 cm) and locally advanced breast cancers (T3–4 N1–2 M0), NAC neoadjuvant chemotherpy, HFDs healthy female donors.
** VALUES significantly increased.

ISSN: 1479-5876