Inflammation, Infiltration, and Evasion—Tumor Promotion in the Aging Breast

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Breast cancer is a significant health problem affecting millions of women worldwide, particularly post-menopausal women. Although early detection and treatment have improved, many patients still develop metastatic disease. Recent research has focused on using the immune system to diagnose and treat breast cancer. The breast immune microenvironment regulates tissue homeostasis and resistance to tumor growth. This review examines how the immune system changes with age, how these changes affect breast cancer development and progression, and how targeted therapies that utilize the immune system can improve patient outcomes. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationship between aging, the immune system, and breast cancer, and the potential of immune-based therapies to combat this devastating disease. ABSTRACT: Breast cancer is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in women, with over two million new cases reported worldwide each year, the majority of which occur in post-menopausal women. Despite advances in early detection and treatment, approximately one-third of patients diagnosed with breast cancer will develop metastatic disease. The pathogenesis and progression of breast cancer are influenced by a variety of biological and social risk factors, including age, ethnicity, pregnancy status, diet, and genomic alterations. Recent advancements in breast cancer research have focused on harnessing the power of the patient’s adaptive and innate immune systems for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The breast immune microenvironment plays a critical role in regulating tissue homeostasis and resistance to tumorigenesis. In this review, we explore the dynamic changes in the breast immune microenvironment that occur with age, how these changes impact breast cancer development and progression, and how targeted therapeutic interventions that leverage the immune system can be used to improve patient outcomes. Our review emphasizes the importance of understanding the complex interplay between aging, the immune system, and breast cancer, and highlights the potential of immune-based therapies in the fight against this devastating disease.