IgG immune response to tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TF, Tn, alphaGal) in patients with breast cancer: impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and relation to the survival.

Abstract

The widely used regimens of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (such as CMF, CAF) can stimulate the immune response to tumor-associated carbohydrate epitopes in some patients. The high levels of anti-TF antibody before surgery are associated with a better survival of stage II breast cancer patients. This may indicate that the selection of immunopotentiating regimens of neoadjuvant chemotherapy might be beneficial for the host.