{
  "abstract": "Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are critical regulators of the tumor microenvironment (TME); however, their cell-specific roles in predicting immunotherapy response in breast cancer (BC) remain poorly understood. This study aimed to identify immune cell-specific lncRNA signatures associated with potential pembrolizumab responsiveness by analyzing single-cell RNA sequencing data from 27 BC patients, including luminal and triple-negative (TNBC) subtypes. Differential expression analysis was performed across myeloid, lymphocyte, and dendritic cells, comparing groups based on lymphocyte expansion as a potential responsiveness criterion, classified as lymphocyte clonal expansion (E) and those without or with limited clonal expansion (NE, non-expansion). In luminal patients, potential responsiveness was primarily linked to macrophage-driven lncRNA activity. MUC20-OT1 was upregulated in responders, while LINC01094, a transcript associated with pro-tumoral M2 polarization and immune escape, was elevated in macrophages from non-responders. Conversely, TNBC responders exhibited a lymphocyte-dominant signature, characterized by the upregulation of LINC01871, LINC01943, and MIR4435-2HG. Notably, NEAT1 was uniquely identified as a significantly upregulated marker in dendritic cells of TNBC responders. While NEAT1 is known to modulate T cell abundance and thwart immune evasion in other contexts, its role in BC-associated dendritic cells remains a novel and promising area for investigation. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that lncRNA signatures in the TME are pivotal for understanding pembrolizumab sensitivity. The shift from macrophage-centered lncRNA activity in luminal subtypes to a lymphocyte- and dendritic cell-dominant profile in TNBC underscores the necessity of subtype-specific approaches. These identified lncRNAs emerge as promising candidate biomarkers associated with T cell expansion and potential response to pembrolizumab treatment to refine patient stratification and improve immunotherapeutic outcomes.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Post-Graduation Program in Genetics, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil.",
    "Department of Informatics, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 81530-980, Brazil."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Clayton Voidelo"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Thalita Maria do Nascimento"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Regiane Stafim da Cunha",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-7925-7698"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Jaqueline Carvalho de Oliveira"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Carolina Mathias",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-3163-8600"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7rjazjmw2bnt3.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3390/ijms27198606",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13664770",
  "id": "7rjazjmw2bnt3",
  "issns": [
    "1422-0067"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42883853",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2730|Cancer Immunotherapy and Biomarkers"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7214617851",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13664770?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13664770",
  "pmid": "42883853",
  "published": "2026-09-26",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7rjazjmw2bnt3.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:19:16Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42883853",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42883853"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2730|Cancer Immunotherapy and Biomarkers",
      "subfield": "oncology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Uncovering Immune Cell-Specific lncRNAs as Anti-PD-1 Response-Associated Markers in Breast Cancer.",
  "title_text": "Uncovering Immune Cell-Specific lncRNAs as Anti-PD-1 Response-Associated Markers in Breast Cancer.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:19:16Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7rjazjmw2bnt3",
  "venue": "International journal of molecular sciences",
  "versions": []
}