Evaluation of Soluble Toll-Like Receptors 2, 4, 9 and Their Damps Signaling Molecules (HMGB1 & HSP70) in Breast Cancer Patients of Basrah Province

Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) are members of pattern recognition receptors that recognize various molecules, including pathogen-associated molecular patterns and dead-associated molecular patterns. These receptors are expressed by immune, non-immune, and tumor cells. Some TLRs are implicated in tumor progression, while others are involved in tumor suppression. Our study aimed to evaluate soluble TLR2, TLR4, TLR9, HMGB1, and HSP70 in breast cancer patients' sera to further understand their roles in breast cancer development.

The study population includes 50 breast cancer patients and 25 healthy individuals. Patients provided written informed consent before participating in the study. Three milliliters of venous blood were drawn from each person, and serum samples were evaluated for Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) titer by ELISA assay.

Soluble TLR2, TLR9, HMGB1, and HSP70 were significantly higher in patients' serum than in healthy controls. It was shown that the serum levels of TLR9 and HMGB1 were more elevated in stages II and IV of the disease.

Our results suggest that soluble TLR2, 9, and HMGB1 may be a novel prognostic factor in breast cancer, and they could be a target for immunotherapy in the future. However, more evidence is needed before introducing this to the bedside.