Background
Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is a heterogeneous and dynamic disease. Its clinical course and prognosis are usually unpredictable at the onset, thus creating significant uncertainty and distress. MBC is generally considered to be incurable, with most patients developing new tumours at multiple sites. However, some patients show restricted dissemination of MBC disease, whereby cancer has not met its full metastatic potential.
Methods
We used single-cell RNA sequencing to probe peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from patients diagnosed with a wide range of metastatic burden. We characterised the heterogeneity of systemic immune response across metastatic profiles, characterised cell-type-specific cytokine landscape and infer changes in cell-cell communication.
Results
A strong association emerged between the single-cell gene expression profile of lymphocytes and the extent of metastatic spread. These include high citokine producer T memory cells. We are experimentally investigating the importance of specific T cell phenotypes in metastatic control.