Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42332664›Full record

ArticleBMC cancer2026

Evaluation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes across breast cancer stages at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.

Emiyamrew Getnet, Gashaw Adane, Ephrem Awoke Shiferaw, Tadele Ayelegn Nibret, Gebremariam Maru Yemru, Minyahl Kassye Mengstu, Abebe Birhanu, Afewerk Habtamu, Habtu Debash, Tadelo Wondmagegn and 1 more

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Article in BMC cancer, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Emiyamrew GetnetDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia. emiyamrewgetnet280@gmail.com.
Gashaw AdaneDepartment of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Ephrem Awoke ShiferawDepartment of Pathology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Tadele Ayelegn NibretDepartment of Pathology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Gebremariam Maru YemruDepartment of Pathology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Minyahl Kassye MengstuDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia.
Abebe BirhanuDepartment of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Afewerk HabtamuDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
Habtu DebashDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
Tadelo WondmagegnDepartment of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Mulualem LemmaDepartment of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are recognized as prognostic biomarkers. However, inconsistent TIL scores across breast cancer stages, and data are scarce for Ethiopian patients. Thus, this study evaluated TIL scores across breast cancer stages in Northwest Ethiopia.

methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from 20 June 2024 to 19 June 2025. Using consecutive sampling, 62 breast cancer patients were enrolled, and their socio-demographic and clinicopathological data were collected using questionnaires and chart reviews. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and stromal TILs were evaluated according to the International TIL Working Group guidelines. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Median TILs across clinicopathological variables were assessed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Spearman correlation assessed the association of TIL scores and clinicopathological variables. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

resultsLow TIL scores were observed in 76.5% of stage II cases, whereas high TIL scores were observed in 54.5% of stage IV cases. Median TIL percentages in stage IV (48%) and III (33%) were significantly higher than in stage II (7%), and in N2-N3 (33%) than in N0-N1 (9%) (p < 0.001). Moreover, the median TIL percentage in grade III (48%) was higher than in grade I (9%) (p = 0.028). TILs were positively correlated with TNM stage, lymph node stage, and grade.

conclusionsA positive correlation was found between TIL score and TNM stage. Intermediate and high TIL scores were common in advanced stages, whereas low TIL scores were prevalent in early stages. The findings suggest that advanced tumors may harbor higher mutation burdens and immunogenicity. Future research should explore the molecular subtypes of immune profiles.

Indexed as

Breast NeoplasmsLymphocytes, Tumor-InfiltratingAdultAgedCross-Sectional StudiesEthiopiaFemaleHospitals, SpecialHumansMiddle AgedNeoplasm StagingPrognosisBreast cancerEthiopiaTumor-infiltrating lymphocytes

Identifiers

PMID42332664
PMCPMC13543470

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