Correlation between severe infection and breast cancer metastases in the EORTC 10994/BIG 1-00 trial: Investigating innate immunity as a tumour suppressor in breast cancer
Innate immunity has shown to prevent metastatic potential in pre-clinical models. Infection can activate an innate immune response regulated by interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7). Clinical data of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer 10994/BIG 1-00 phase III trial were analysed to evaluate this hypothesis. High expression of the IRF7 gene signature was significantly associated with reduced bone relapse. The efficacy of adjuvant bisphosphonate/denosumab could be influenced by tumour IRF7 status.