The role of the immune response in influencing the therapeutic efficacy of systemic therapy for HER2-positive advanced breast cancer remains inadequately defined. This study included 82 patients with HER2-positive advanced breast cancer treated at Chenzhou No.1 People’s Hospital from March 2021 to March 2023 as the observation group, alongside 44 age-matched healthy female controls. The observation group received a TCbHP systemic therapy regimen. Peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets (CD3 + , CD4 + , CD8 + , and CD4 + /CD8 + ratio) were measured before and after therapy. Serum levels of cancer antigen 15 − 3 (CA15-3), tissue polypeptide-specific antigen (TPS), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were also assessed. Prior to treatment, patients exhibited significantly lower CD3 + , CD4 + , and CD4 + /CD8 + levels, and higher CD8 + levels compared to controls ( P < 0.05). Post-treatment, CD3 + , CD4 + , and CD4 + /CD8 + levels significantly improved in patients with effective responses, particularly among those aged ≤ 60 years and with stage III disease ( P < 0.05). In contrast, patients with ineffective responses showed decreased CD3 + and CD4 + /CD8 + levels and increased CD8 + levels ( P < 0.05). Significant reductions in CA15-3, TPS, and CEA levels were observed post-treatment in the effective group ( P < 0.05). These findings suggest that systemic therapy enhances immune function and reduces tumor marker levels in this patient population, with more pronounced benefits in younger patients and those with earlier-stage disease. T lymphocyte subset changes may serve as valuable indicators of clinical response.
Tang et al. (Mon,) studied this question.