The spatial proximity of mast cells (Tryptase) and CD8+ T-cells was significantly associated with pathologic complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens.

Work we did with Dr. Sangeetha Reddy and Dr. Jennifer Wargo to analyze the spatial relationships amongst various cell types in IBC is published in Cancer Immunology. Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is an aggressive form of primary cancer with low rates of pathologic complete response to current neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) regimens. Our spatial analysis framework showed the close proximity of mast cells to CD8⁺ T cells, CD163⁺ monocytes/macrophages, and tumor cells when a pathologic complete response was not achieved. The proximity of mast cells to immune and tumor cells may suggest immunosuppressive or tumor-promoting interactions of these mast cells, and these can be a potential therapeutic target in IBC. Read more here: http://cancerimmunolres.aacrjournals.org/content/7/6/1025.abstract
Image courtesy Dr. Sangeetha Reddy