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 5 NK (CD3⁻CD16⁺CD56^dim) NKG2D⁺ 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–NKG2D (%)
Good pathological responders	B	6.94 ± 3.00
[Groups I and II]	CC	13.53 ± 4.50
(n = 9)	CC v B	P = 0.241
Poor pathological responders	B	4.27 ± 2.00
[Groups III and IV]	CC	9.35 ± 4.00
(n = 7)	CC v B	P = 0.789
Complete pathological responders	PCR	13.53 ± 3.50
[PCR] (n = 6)	HFDs	4.00 ± 1.50
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–NKG2D %
Good pathological responders	B	6.94 ± 3.00
[Groups I and II]	SR	10.08 ± 5.00
(n = 9)	SR v B	P = 0.614
Poor pathological responders	B	4.27 ± 2.00
[Groups III and IV]	SR	3.76 ± 10.0
(n = 7)	SR v B	P = 0.168
Complete pathological responders	PCR	15.34 ± 4.00
[PCR] (n = 6)	HFDs	4.00 ± 1.50
Healthy female donors (HFDs) (n = 10)	PCR v HFDs	P = 0.001**

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

ISSN: 1479-5876