CC chemokines are differentially expressed in Breast Cancer and are associated with disparity in overall survival

Despite recent advances, breast cancer (BrCa) still affects many women and the impact is disproportional in African Americans (AA) compared to European Americans (EA). Addressing socioeconomic and behavioral status has not been enough to reduce disparity, suggesting contribution of biological differences in BrCa disparity. Our laboratory was first to show involvement of CC chemokines in BrCa. In this study, using ONCOMINE, TCGA, bc-GenExMiner and KMplotter, we examined the association of CC chemokines in BrCa outcomes and disparity. We show over-expression of CCL5, -7, -11, -17, -20, -22 and -25 in BrCa tissues. High mRNA levels of CCL7, -8, -17, -20 and -25 predicted a decrease in overall survival (OS). CCL7 and CCL8 were associated with decreased relapse-free survival. Expression of CCL17 and CCL25 was associated with decreased OS in AA. In EA, CCL8 was associated with decreased OS. Expression of CCL5, -7, -8, -17, -20 and -25 was highest in TNBC. Expression of CCL11 and CCL22 was associated with HER2. CCL7, -8, -17, -20 and -25 were elevated in AAs. In conclusion, our analysis suggests significant association of CC-chemokines in BrCa progression, OS and disparate disease outcome in AA compared to EA patients.