Decreased level of peripheral CD8+CD28+ T cells is associated with lymph node metastasis in patients with breast cancer

Background: Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is an independent risk factor for prognosis in patients with early breast cancer (EBC). Here we explored whether peripheral lymphocyte subtypes could be used as surrogate markers for LNM in patients with EBC. Materials & methods: The lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood were measured in 152 EBC patients and 43 patients with benign breast tumors. Results: The cytotoxic T cell count was significantly lower in patients with EBC than in patients with benign tumors (244.17 ± 105.83 vs 289.97 ± 121.72; p = 0.02), especially in patients with LNM (218.36 ± 86.21; p = 0.04). Conclusion: A decreased level of peripheral CD8 + CD28 + T lymphocytes is associated with LNM in patients with EBC and could be used as a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer.