Anthropometric factors in relation to different tumor biological subgroups of postmenopausal breast cancer

Mammographic features differ with body composition in women with breast cancer

OBJECTIVES

There are several breast cancer (BC) risk factors-many related to body composition, hormonal status, and fertility patterns. However, it is not known if risk factors in healthy women are associated with specific mammographic features at the time of BC diagnosis. Our aim was to assess the potential association between pre-diagnostic body composition and mammographic features in the diagnostic BC image.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The prospective Malmö Diet and Cancer Study includes women with invasive BC from 1991 to 2014 (n = 1116). BC risk factors at baseline were registered (anthropometric measures, menopausal status, and parity) along with mammography data from BC diagnosis (breast density, mammographic tumor appearance, and mode of detection). We investigated associations between anthropometric measures and mammographic features via logistic regression analyses, yielding odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

There was an association between high body mass index (BMI) (≥ 30) at baseline and spiculated tumor appearance (OR 1.370 (95% CI: 0.941-2.010)), primarily in women with clinically detected cancers (OR 2.240 (95% CI: 1.280-3.940)), and in postmenopausal women (OR 1.580 (95% CI: 1.030-2.440)). Furthermore, an inverse association between high BMI (≥ 30) and high breast density (OR 0.270 (95% CI: 0.166-0.438)) was found.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated an association between obesity and a spiculated mass on mammography-especially in women with clinically detected cancers and in postmenopausal women. These findings offer insights on the relationship between risk factors in healthy women and related mammographic features in subsequent BC.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

With increasing numbers of both BC incidence and women with obesity, it is important to highlight mammographic findings in women with an unhealthy weight.

KEY POINTS

Women with obesity and BC may present with certain mammographic features. Spiculated masses were more common in women with obesity, especially postmenopausal women, and those with clinically detected BCs. Insights on the relationship between obesity and related mammographic features will aid mammographic interpretation.

Nomogram for predicting the prognosis of metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with anti-PD1 therapy based on serum lipids analysis

BACKGROUND

Serum lipids have been identified to be used as prognostic biomarkers in several types of cancer. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of serum lipids in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients received anti-PD-1 therapy.

METHODS

Pretreatment and the alteration of serum lipids, including apolipoprotein B (ApoB), apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), cholesterol (CHO), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) after 2 courses of anti-PD1 therapy, were collected. Kaplan-Meier survival and cox regression analysis were performed to identify the prognostic values on overall survival (OS). Finally, those significant predictors from multivariate analysis were used to construct a nomogram for the prediction of prognosis.

RESULTS

Baseline ApoB, CHO, HDL-C, LDL-C and early changes of ApoB, ApoA-I, HDL-C were statistically significant in the ROC analysis, showing good discriminatory ability in terms of OS. In multivariate analysis, treatment lines, lung metastasis, baseline HDL-C (low vs. high, HR, 6.30; 95% CI 1.82-21.80; P = 0.004) and early changes in HDL-C (reduction vs. elevation, HR, 4.59, 95% CI 1.20-17.63; P = 0.026) independently predicted OS. The area under the time-dependent ROC curve at 1 year, 2 years and 3 years consistently demonstrated the satisfactory accuracy and predictive value of the nomogram (AUC: 0.88, 0.85, 0.84).

CONCLUSION

Overall, high level at baseline and an early elevation of HDL-C are correlated with better outcomes in mCRC patients treated with anti-PD1 therapy. The constructed nomogram indicated that the factors are strong predictive markers for response and prognosis to anti-PD-1 therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer.

Association of TNFRSF1A and IFNLR1 Gene Polymorphisms with the Risk of Developing Breast Cancer and Clinical Pathologic Features

Several genes have been associated with breast cancer (BC) susceptibility. The tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 1A (TNFRSF1A), and interferon lambda receptor 1 (IFNLR1) genes encode receptors that mediate the action of inflammatory cytokines. Previous studies have demonstrated the association of the variants rs1800693 (TNFRSF1A) and rs4649203 (IFNLR1) with some inflammatory diseases. The present study aimed to verify a possible association of these variants with BC, its clinical pathologic features, as well as epidemiological data in a Brazilian population. A total of 243 patients and 294 individuals without history of BC were genotyped for these polymorphisms through TaqMan® SNP genotyping assays by qPCR. For the TNFRSF1A gene, no significant results were found. For IFNLR1, the AA genotype (p = 0.008) and the A allele (p = 0.02) were significantly associated with a lower risk of developing BC. When analyzing the age, it was observed that each increase of one year contributes to the development of BC (p < 0.001). Also, the smoking habit (p < 0.001) and body mass index (p = 0.018) increase the risk of disease development. Analyzing progesterone receptor factor an association was found with the AA genotype of the IFNLR1 (p = 0.02). The findings suggest that polymorphism in the immune-related IFNLR1 gene contribute to BC susceptibility in a Brazilian population. These findings can contribute to the further understanding of the role this gene and pathways in BC development.

World Cancer Research Fund International: Continuous Update Project-systematic literature review and meta-analysis of observational cohort studies on physical activity, sedentary behavior, adiposity, and weight change and breast cancer risk

PURPOSE

The purpose of the present study was to systematically review the complex associations between energy balance-related factors and breast cancer risk, for which previous evidence has suggested different associations in the life course of women and by hormone receptor (HR) status of the tumor.

METHODS

Relevant publications on adulthood physical activity, sedentary behavior, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences, waist-to-hip ratio, and weight change and pre- and postmenopausal breast cancer risk were identified in PubMed up to 30 April 2017. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to summarize the relative risks across studies.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-six observational cohort studies comprising over 22,900 premenopausal and 103,000 postmenopausal breast cancer cases were meta-analyzed. Higher physical activity was inversely associated with both pre- and postmenopausal breast cancers, whereas increased sitting time was positively associated with postmenopausal breast cancer. Although higher early adult BMI (ages 18-30 years) was inversely associated with pre- and postmenopausal breast cancers, adult weight gain and greater body adiposity increased breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women, and the increased risk was evident for HR+ but not HR- breast cancers, and among never but not current users of postmenopausal hormones. The evidence was less consistent in premenopausal women. There were no associations with adult weight gain, inverse associations with adult BMI (study baseline) and hip circumference, and non-significant associations with waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio that were reverted to positive associations on average in studies accounting for BMI. No significant associations were observed for HR-defined premenopausal breast cancers.

CONCLUSION

Better understanding on the impact of these factors on pre- and postmenopausal breast cancers and their subtypes along the life course is needed.

Metabolic hormones and breast cancer risk among Mexican American Women in the Mano a Mano Cohort Study

C-peptide, insulin, leptin, and other metabolic hormones are assumed to play roles in breast cancer development; though, results are inconsistent. In this prospective case-control study nested within the Mano a Mano Cohort Study, we assessed the risk of breast cancer with regard to plasma levels of c-peptide, gastric inhibitory polypeptide, insulin, leptin, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, pancreatic polypeptide, and peptide YY. Among women followed for a median of 8.5 years, 109 breast cancer cases were identified and frequency-matched to 327 controls at a ratio of 1:3. Overall, only c-peptide was observed significantly associated with breast cancer risk. High c-peptide levels (≥ the median level of controls) were significantly associated with increased breast cancer risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01, 2.44). In an analysis of participants stratified by age, the significant association between c-peptide levels and breast cancer risk was evident in only women age ≥51 years (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.02, 3.27). Among women age <51 years, high leptin levels were significantly associated with decreased breast cancer risk (OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.24, 0.82). Our findings suggest that selected metabolic hormones are associated with breast cancer development in Mexican American women.

Impact of Obesity on Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Disease Prognosis in Pre- and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Institutional Study

PURPOSE

To investigate the association between obesity and breast cancer clinicopathologic characteristics at presentation along with prognostic impact among Jordanian breast cancer patients. Such data are lacking in Arabian countries.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, 348 breast cancer patients were included. Analyses were conducted for associations between body mass index (BMI) and age at diagnosis, tumor clinicopathologic characteristics, and molecular subtypes. Eight prognostic factors were considered, and total prognostic scores were calculated. The analysis was stratified by menopausal status. Multivariate logistic stepwise regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors for breast cancer recurrence and death.

RESULTS

Mean age at diagnosis was 50.98 ± 10.96 years. Mean BMI at diagnosis was 29.52 ± 5.32 kg/m². Mean age at diagnosis was significantly higher for overweight and obese patients compared to underweight/normal patients (P < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was observed between patient age and BMI at diagnosis (r = 0.251, P < 0.001). Grade of carcinoma was significantly correlated with BMI in the whole population examined (P=0.003). Obese breast cancer patients had significantly higher prognostic scores compared to nonobese cases, indicating worse prognostic features at presentation (P=0.034). Stratification of data analysis based on menopausal status revealed significant associations between obesity and each of tumor stage and grade among postmenopausal but not premenopausal patients (P=0.019 and P=0.031, respectively). Similarly, postmenopausal obese patients had significantly higher prognostic scores compared to nonobese counterparts (P=0.007), indicating worse prognosis, a finding which was also absent among premenopausal breast cancer patients. No significant association between BMI with expression status of hormone receptors, HER2, lymphovascular invasion, and molecular subtypes was found among patients. BMI was a significant predictor for disease recurrence in which obese breast cancer patients had greater odds (2-fold) to develop locoregional and distant recurrence compared to nonobese cases (P=0.011).

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity was associated with advanced stage and grade of breast carcinoma at diagnosis. The impact of BMI on clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis was confined to postmenopausal cases. Jordanian obese breast cancer patients are at greater risk of breast cancer recurrence and reduced survival compared to their nonobese counterparts.

Associations of adult-attained height and early life energy restriction with postmenopausal breast cancer risk according to estrogen and progesterone receptor status

Adult-attained height is a marker for underlying mechanisms, such as cell growth, that may also influence postmenopausal breast cancer (BC) risk, perhaps specifically hormone-sensitive BC subtypes. Early life energy restriction may inhibit these mechanisms, resulting in shorter height and a reduced postmenopausal BC risk. Women (62,573) from the Netherlands Cohort Study completed a self-administered questionnaire in 1986 when 55-69 years old, and were followed-up for 20.3 years (case-cohort: N_subcohort = 2,438; N_cases = 3,354). Cox multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated for BC risk overall and by estrogen and progesterone receptor subtypes in relation to height and early life energy restriction during the Hunger Winter, War Years, and Economic Depression. Although energy restriction can only influence longitudinal growth in women exposed before and/or during the growth spurt, it may also influence BC risk when occurring after the growth spurt, possibly through different growth processes. Therefore, Cox analyses were additionally conducted according to timing of energy restriction in relation to the growth spurt. Height was associated with an increased BC risk (HR_{per 5cm} = 1.07, 95%CI:1.01-1.13), particularly hormone receptor-positive BC. Energy restriction before and/or during the growth spurt was associated with a decreased hormone receptor-positive BC risk. Energy restriction during the Hunger Winter increased the estrogen receptor-negative BC risk regardless of the timing of energy restriction. In conclusion, height and energy restriction before and/or during the growth spurt were both associated with hormone receptor-positive BC risk, in the direction as expected, indicating critical exposure windows for hormonal growth-related mechanisms.

Statins: a role in breast cancer therapy?

Statin drugs have been used for more than two decades to treat hypercholesterolemia and as cardio-preventive drugs, resulting in a marked decrease in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. Statins halt hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis by inhibiting the rate-limiting enzyme in the mevalonate pathway, hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR). The mevalonate pathway regulates a host of biochemical processes in addition to cholesterol production. Attenuation of these pathways is likely responsible for the myriad benefits of statin therapy beyond cholesterol reduction - the so-called pleiotropic effects of statins. Chief amongst these purported effects is anti-cancer activity. A considerable body of preclinical, epidemiologic and clinical evidence shows that statins impair proliferation of breast cancer cells and reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence. Potential mechanisms for this effect have been explored in laboratory models, but remain poorly understood and require further investigation. The number of clinical trials assessing the putative clinical benefit of statins in breast cancer is increasing. Currently, a total of 30 breast cancer/statin trials are listed at the global trial identifier website clinicaltrials.gov. Given the compelling evidence from performed trials in a variety of clinical settings, there have been calls for a clinical trial of statins in the adjuvant breast cancer setting. It would be imperative for such a trial to incorporate tumour biomarkers predictive of statin response in its design and analysis plan. Ongoing translational clinical trials aimed at biomarker discovery will help identify, which breast cancer patients are most likely to benefit from adjuvant statin therapy, and will add valuable clinical knowledge to the field.

The association between fat mass and the risk of breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Several cohort and case-control studies examined the association between fat mass (FM) and the risk of breast cancer; however, findings are conflicting. The purpose of the present study was to systematically review this association and conducted a meta-analysis, if possible.

METHOD

A systematic search of PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science and Embase databases was conducted for cohort and case-control studies, between January 2000 and 31 March 2018 with no language limitations. Multivariate adjusted relative risk (RR) estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each category of FM were pooled to examine the association.

RESULTS

Finally, 12 papers were considered for quantitative synthesis. The pooled RR for the highest vs. the lowest FM (%) of cohort studies was 1.44 (95% CI: 1.33, 1.56; I²: 63.3%, p = 0.008). The overall effect size for adjusted case-control studies showed no significant association (1.49, 95% CI: 0.77, 2.90; I²: 93.2%; p = 0.001). After stratification by menopause, it was revealed that the association between FM and the risk of breast cancer in post menopausal women (2.29, 95% CI: 1.12, 4.68; I²: 92%, p = 0.0001) was significant, while there was no significant association in pre-menopausal women (0.68, 95% CI: 0.18, 2.58; I²: 81.3%; p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Cohort studies showed that higher FM is positively associated with the risk for breast cancer. However, only case-control studies on post-menopausal women showed a positive link. Due to limited studies and high heterogeneity, findings should be interpreted with caution. More cohort studies are needed to clarify this association.

Obesity as risk factor for subtypes of breast cancer: results from a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Earlier epidemiological studies indicate that associations between obesity and breast cancer risk may not only depend on menopausal status and use of exogenous hormones, but might also differ by tumor subtype. Here, we evaluated whether obesity is differentially associated with the risk of breast tumor subtypes, as defined by 6 immunohistochemical markers (ER, PR, HER2, Ki67, Bcl-2 and p53, separately and combined), in the prospective EPIC-Germany Study (n = 27,012).

METHODS

Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissues of 657 incident breast cancer cases were used for histopathological analyses. Associations between BMI and breast cancer risk across subtypes were evaluated by multivariable Cox regression models stratified by menopausal status and hormone therapy (HT) use.

RESULTS

Among postmenopausal non-users of HT, higher BMI was significantly associated with an increased risk of less aggressive, i.e. ER+, PR+, HER2-, Ki67_low, Bcl-2+ and p53- tumors (HR per 5 kg/m²: 1.44 [1.10, 1.90], p = 0.009), but not with risk of more aggressive tumor subtypes. Among postmenopausal users of HT, BMI was significantly inversely associated with less aggressive tumors (HR per 5 kg/m²: 0.68 [0.50, 0.94], p = 0.018). Finally, among pre- and perimenopausal women, Cox regression models did not reveal significant linear associations between BMI and risk of any tumor subtype, although analyses by BMI tertiles showed a significantly lower risk of less aggressive tumors for women in the highest tertile (HR: 0.55 [0.33, 0.93]).

CONCLUSION

Overall, our results suggest that obesity is related to risk of breast tumors with lower aggressiveness, a finding that requires replication in larger-scale analyses of pooled prospective data.

LEP rs7799039, LEPR rs1137101, and ADIPOQ rs2241766 and 1501299 Polymorphisms Are Associated With Obesity and Chemotherapy Response in Mexican Women With Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

Obesity plays a major role in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Leptin (LEP) and adiponectin (ADIPOQ) are important in the regulation of adipose tissue. The response to cancer treatment depends on the histological and molecular tumor type, clinical stage, and genetic variability that might promote carcinogenic development. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between overweight/obesity and polymorphisms in the LEP (rs7799039), LEP receptor (LEPR; rs1137101), and ADIPOQ genes (rs2241766, rs1501299) with the response to breast cancer treatment in Mexican women.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A sample of 177 patients with primary breast cancer (stage I-III) and who received neoadjuvant therapy were included. Polymorphisms were genotyped and their serum LEP concentrations (n = 59) were quantified.

RESULTS

The patients' median age was 53.1 years, the frequency of overweight and obesity was 57 and 84 patients, respectively, 117 were postmenopausal, and 64 of the patients did not respond to chemotherapy. An association of the LEP rs7799039, LEPR rs1137101, and ADIPOQ rs1501299 polymorphisms with overweight/obesity was found. The patients who did not respond to treatment were more frequently obese, at clinical stage III, had metastases, and high levels of glucose. Moreover, in samples that were positive for estrogen receptor, higher levels of LEP were found, and in wild type genotypes for LEP rs7799039 and LEPR rs1137101.

CONCLUSION

There was a direct association between the polymorphisms in LEP rs7799039 and ADIPOQ rs1501299 with overweight/obesity, and these genotypes affected the response to chemotherapeutic treatment, suggesting that an obesogenic microenvironment is more favorable for tumoral progression.

Central obesity and risks of pre- and postmenopausal breast cancer: a dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies

Epidemiologic evidence has shown inconsistent findings regarding the relationships between abdominal fatness, as measured by waist circumferences (WC) or waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and risks of pre- and postmenopausal breast cancer (BC). A dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies was conducted to address these issues. Potentially eligible studies were identified by searching PubMed and EMBASE databases, and by carefully reviewing the bibliographies of retrieved publications and related reviews. The summary relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model. When the most fully adjusted RRs were combined, both WC (14 studies, RR _{per 10-cm increase}  = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.04-1.09, I²  = 29.9%) and WHR (15 studies, RR _{per 0.1-unit increase}  = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01-1.14, I²  = 52.9%) were significantly positively associated with postmenopausal BC, but neither WC (eight studies, RR _{per 10-cm increase}  = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.99-1.10, I²  = 0%) nor WHR (11 studies, RR _{per 0.1-unit increase}  = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.95-1.21, I²  = 59.7%) were associated with premenopausal BC. The WHR-postmenopausal BC association lost statistical significance after correcting publication bias (RR _{per 0.1-unit increase}  = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.99-1.13). When considering BMI-adjusted RRs, WC was associated with both pre- (five studies, RR _{per 10-cm increase}  = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.02-1.16, I²  = 0%) and postmenopausal BC (seven studies, RR _{per 10-cm increase}  = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.08, I²  = 6.3%), whereas WHR was not associated with either pre- (seven studies, RR _{per 0.1-unit increase}  = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.94-1.34, I²  = 70.9%) or postmenopausal BC (eight studies, RR _{per 0.1-unit increase}  = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.98-1.13, I²  = 57.3%). Among non-current (former or never) users of hormone replacement therapy, the summary RR _{per 10-cm increase} of postmenopausal BC associated with WC was 1.08 (95% CI: 1.03-1.05, I²  = 69.2%, seven studies; BMI-adjusted RR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.09, I²  = 22.8%, four studies). This meta-analysis indicates that central obesity measured by WC, but not by WHR, is associated with modestly increased risks of both pre- and postmenopausal BC independent of general obesity.

Thyroid function and survival following breast cancer

Background

Thyroid function has been associated with breast cancer risk, and breast cancer cell growth and proliferation. It is not clear whether thyroid function affects prognosis following breast cancer but, if so, this could have an important clinical impact. The present study analysed prospectively collected measurements of free tri-iodothyronine (T3), free thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) in relation to breast cancer survival.

Methods

The Malmö Diet and Cancer Study is a prospective cohort study of 17 035 women in Sweden. Study enrolment was conducted between 1991 and 1996. Patients with incident breast cancer were identified through record linkage with cancer registries until 31 December 2006. Information on vital status was collected from the Swedish Cause of Death Registry, with the endpoint breast cancer mortality (31 December 2013). Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95 per cent confidence intervals (c.i.) were obtained by Cox proportional hazards analysis.

Results

Some 766 patients with incident breast cancer were identified, of whom 551 were eligible for analysis. Compared with patients in the first free T4 tertile, breast cancer mortality was lower among those in the second tertile (HR 0·49, 95 per cent c.i. 0·28 to 0·84). There was an indication, although non-significant, of lower breast cancer mortality among patients in the second TSH tertile (HR 0·63, 0·37 to 1·09) and in those with positive TPO-Ab status (HR 0·61, 0·30 to 1·23). Free T3 showed no clear association with mortality.

Conclusion

In the present study, there was a positive association between free T4 levels and improved breast cancer survival.

Low-Grade Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and Risk of Invasive Post-Menopausal Breast Cancer - A Nested Case-Control Study from the Malmö Diet and Cancer Cohort

OBJECTIVE

Although cancer promotes inflammation, the role of inflammation in tumor-genesis is less well established. The aim was to examine if low-grade inflammation is related to post-menopausal breast cancer risk, and if obesity modifies this association.

METHODS

In the Malmö Diet and Cancer cohort, a nested case-control study was defined among 8,513 women free of cancer and aged 55-73 years at baseline (1991-96); 459 were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during follow-up (until December 31st, 2010). In laboratory analyses of blood from 446 cases, and 885 controls (matched on age and date of blood sampling) we examined systemic inflammation markers: oxidized (ox)-LDL, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, white blood cells, lymphocytes and neutrophils. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for breast cancer risk was calculated using multivariable conditional logistic regression.

RESULTS

Inverse associations with breast cancer were seen in fully-adjusted models, for 2nd and 3rd tertiles of ox-LDL, OR (95% CI): 0.65 (0.47-0.90), 0.63 (0.45-0.89) respectively, p-trend = 0.01; and for the 3rd tertile of TNF-α, 0.65 (0.43-0.99), p-trend = 0.04. In contrast, those in the highest IL-1β category had higher risk, 1.71 (1.05-2.79), p-trend = 0.01. Obesity did not modify associations between inflammation biomarkers and breast cancer.

CONCLUSION

Our study does not suggest that low-grade inflammation increase the risk of post-menopausal breast cancer.

Apolipoproteins, lipids and risk of cancer

The epidemiological evidence for an obesity-cancer association is solid, whereas the association between obesity-associated lipoprotein levels and cancer is less evident. We investigated circulating levels of Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), Apolipoprotein B (ApoB), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and association to risk of overall cancer and common cancer forms. The Malmö Diet and Cancer Study, a population-based prospective cohort study, enrolled 17,035 women and 11,063 men (1991-1996). Incident cancer cases were ascertained by record linkage with the Swedish Cancer Registry until end of follow-up, January 1, 2012. Baseline serum levels of ApoA1 and ApoB were analyzed for the entire cohort and HDL-C and LDL-C levels in 5,281 participants. Hazard ratios, with 95% confidence interval, were calculated using Cox's proportional hazards analysis. In the entire cohort, none of the exposures were related to overall cancer risk (HRadj ApoA1 = 0.98, 95%CI: 0.95,1.01; HRadj ApoB = 1.01, 95%CI: 0.98-1.04). Among men, ApoB was positively associated with cancer risk (HRadj ApoB = 1.06, 95%CI: 1.01,1.10). Female breast cancer risk was inversely associated with ApoB (HRadj = 0.92, 95%CI: 0.86,0.99). Among both genders, ApoA1 was inversely associated with lung cancer risk (HRadj = 0.88, 95%CI: 0.80,0.97), whereas high ApoB increased lung cancer risk (HRadj = 1.08, 95%CI: 0.99,1.18). Colorectal cancer risk was increased with high ApoB (HRadj = 1.08, 95%CI: 1.01,1.16) among both genders. Apolipoprotein levels were not associated with prostate cancer incidence. Circulating levels of apolipoproteins are associated with overall cancer risk in men and across both genders with breast, lung and colorectal cancer risk. Validation of these findings may facilitate future primary prevention strategies for cancer.

Prospectively measured thyroid hormones and thyroid peroxidase antibodies in relation to risk of different breast cancer subgroups: a Malmö Diet and Cancer Study

PURPOSE

Thyroid hormone level has been positively associated with breast cancer risk and with breast cancer cell proliferation and growth. Although breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, this is the first study assessing pre-diagnostic levels of free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) in relation to breast cancer subgroups and aggressiveness.

METHODS

The Malmö Diet and Cancer Study collected blood samples from 17,035 women between 1991 and 1996. Free T3, free T4, TSH, and TPO-Ab were analyzed in 676 incident breast cancer cases and 680 controls. Breast tumors were classified according to tumor size, axillary lymph node involvement, histological grade, histological type, hormone receptor status (ER, PgR), as well as Ki67, cyclin D1, and p27. Odds ratios of different breast cancer subgroups were calculated using a logistic regression analysis adjusted for potential confounders.

RESULTS

High fT4 was associated with a statistically significant higher risk of overall breast cancer, small, grade I, ER-positive, PgR-positive, and cyclin D1 low tumors. The associations for ER and PgR were verified in a heterogeneity analysis. Low TPO-Ab was associated with a higher risk of overall breast cancer, ductal, large, ER-positive, PgR-positive, cyclin D1 low, and p27 high tumors. The heterogeneity analysis verified the association for tumor size. Free T3 was not associated with overall breast cancer risk, but in the heterogeneity analysis, high fT3 was associated with tumor size and expression of p27. There were no strong associations between TSH and overall breast cancer risk or any tumor subgroup.

CONCLUSION

High pre-diagnostic fT4 levels and low pre-diagnostic TPO-Ab levels were associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. This increase was mainly limited to a higher incidence rate of less aggressive breast cancer subgroups.

Body size throughout adult life influences postmenopausal breast cancer risk among hispanic women: the breast cancer health disparities study

BACKGROUND

Few studies have assessed the association of body size with postmenopausal breast cancer risk in Hispanic women. Findings are inconsistent and appear to contradict those reported for non-Hispanic white (NHW) women.

METHODS

We pooled interview and anthropometric data for 2,023 Hispanic and 2,384 NHW women from two U.S. population-based case-control studies. Using logistic regression analysis, we examined associations of overall and abdominal adiposity with risk of postmenopausal breast cancer defined by estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status.

RESULTS

Weight gain was associated with increased risk of ER(+)PR(+) breast cancer in Hispanics not currently using menopausal hormone therapy (HT), but only among those with a low young-adult body mass index (BMI). In the subset of Hispanics with data on genetic ancestry, the association with weight gain was limited to women with lower Indigenous American ancestry. Young-adult BMI was inversely associated with both ER(+)PR(+) and ER(-)PR(-) breast cancers for both ethnicities combined, with similar, although nonsignificant, inverse trends in Hispanics and NHWs. Among all Hispanics, regardless of HT use, height was associated with risk of ER(-)PR(-) breast cancer and hip circumference with risk of breast cancer overall.

CONCLUSIONS

Body size throughout adult life is associated with breast cancer risk among postmenopausal Hispanic women, as has been reported for NHW women. Associations were specific for breast cancer subtypes defined by hormone receptor status.

IMPACT

Avoiding weight gain and maintaining a healthy weight are important strategies to reduce the risk of postmenopausal ER(+)PR(+) breast cancer, the most common breast cancer subtype.

Do pathological parameters differ with regard to breast density and mode of detection in breast cancer? The Malmö Diet and Cancer Study

Our aim was to study how breast density relates to tumor characteristics in breast cancer with emphasis on mode of detection. Among 17,035 women in the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study 826 incident cases have been diagnosed (1991-2007). Data on tumor characteristics, mode of detection, and density at diagnosis were collected. Associations between density and tumor characteristics were analyzed using logistic and ordinal logistic regression models yielding OR and 95% CI. Adjustments for age at diagnosis, BMI at baseline, and the mode of detection, were performed. In denser breasts, large tumor size was more frequent (ORadj 1.59 (1.26-2.01)) as was lymph node involvement (ORadj 1.32 (1.00-1.74)). Further, the higher the density, the lower the grade (ORadj 0.73 (0.53-1.02) for having higher grade), in screening-detected invasive breast cancer. Our findings stress the importance of considering the impact of density in mammography image interpretation and the possible associations with tumor aggressiveness.

Breastfeeding in relation to risk of different breast cancer characteristics

BACKGROUND

The aim of this present study was to examine duration of breastfeeding in relation to the risk of different subgroups of breast cancer. A prospective cohort, The Malmö Diet and Cancer study, including 14092 parous women, were followed during a mean of 10.2 years and a total of 424 incident breast cancers were diagnosed.

METHODS

Tumours were classified regarding invasiveness, tumour size, axillary lymph node status, Nottingham grade, tumour proliferation (Ki67), HER2, cyclin D1 and p27, WHO histological type and hormone receptor status. Duration of breastfeeding was measured using total time of breastfeeding, categorized in quartiles using the lowest as the reference group (<4.0, ≥4.0- < 8.0, ≥8.0- < 13.0 and ≥13.0 months). Average duration of breastfeeding per child and breastfeeding duration of the first child were also used as exposures in separate analyses. Relative risks, with 95% confidence intervals, were obtained using a Cox's proportional hazards analysis adjusted for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Overall risk for breast cancer was similar in all quartiles of breastfeeding. No strong results regarding breastfeeding duration and breast cancer subgroups were seen. A few results indicated an association between a relatively long duration of breastfeeding and tumours with high proliferation (Ki67) and grade III histological grade.

CONCLUSIONS

Breastfeeding duration was not associated with breast cancer risk and no strong results were seen with regard to breast cancer subgroups.

Given breast cancer, is fat better than thin? Impact of the estrogen receptor beta gene polymorphisms

The role of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) in breast cancer has been investigated since its identification in 1996. Studies based on protein expression have indicated that ERβ is a favorable prognostic marker. Further, ERβ expression is lower in obese breast cancer patients. Fewer studies have focused on the prognostic impact of ERβ polymorphisms. Therefore, we analyzed the associations between four previously identified haplotype tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (htSNPs), associated haplo- and diplotypes, and breast cancer-free survival according to body constitution. The patient cohort included 634 women from the prospective breast cancer and blood study (BC Blood study, Sweden) with a median follow-up of 4.92 years. Four htSNPs (i.e., rs4986938, rs1256049, rs1256031, rs3020450) in the ESR2 gene and the correlating haplo- and diplotypes were analyzed and correlated to selected patient and tumor characteristics and to disease-free survival, including stratification for BMI. Based on the four htSNPs, seven haplotypes and eight diplotypes were identified. The patient and tumor characteristics were well-balanced across all geno- and haplotypes. Disease-free survival differed according to rs4986938 and rs1256031 (Log-Rank P = 0.045 and P = 0.041, respectively) and the number of haplotype copies of the wildtype CCGC and TCAC (Log-Rank P = 0.027 and P = 0.038, respectively). In the survival analyses stratified for BMI, significant survival differences between alleles were observed among overweight women (rs4986938 and rs1256031 with Log-Rank P = 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). The BMI-stratified survival analyses based on haplotypes showed shorter disease-free survival for overweight women with null copies of CCGC (Log-Rank P = 0.001) and for overweight women with any TCAC copy (Log-Rank P < 0.0001). Markedly impaired disease-free survival was found for genotypes in two out of four ESR2 htSNPs and for two haplotypes. ESR2 polymorphisms seem to divide patients into good and poor survivors based on BMI, stressing the need of taking host factors into consideration in the evaluation of prognostic markers.

Height, age at menarche and risk of hormone receptor-positive and -negative breast cancer: a cohort study

Associations of breast cancer overall with indicators of exposures during puberty are reasonably well characterized; however, uncertainty remains regarding the associations of height, leg length, sitting height and menarcheal age with hormone receptor-defined malignancies. Within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort, Cox proportional hazards models were used to describe the relationships of adult height, leg length and sitting height and age at menarche with risk of estrogen and progesterone receptor negative (ER-PR-) (n = 990) and ER+PR+ (n = 3,524) breast tumors. Height as a single risk factor was compared to a model combining leg length and sitting height. The possible interactions of height, leg length and sitting height with menarche were also analyzed. Risk of both ER-PR- and ER+PR+ malignancies was positively associated with standing height, leg length and sitting height and inversely associated with increasing age at menarche. For ER+PR+ disease, sitting height (hazard ratios: 1.14[95% confidence interval: 1.08-1.20]) had a stronger risk association than leg length (1.05[1.00-1.11]). In comparison, for ER-PR- disease, no distinct differences were observed between leg length and sitting height. Women who were tall and had an early menarche (≤13 years) showed an almost twofold increase in risk of ER+PR+ tumors but no such increase in risk was observed for ER-PR- disease. Indicators of exposures during rapid growth periods were associated with risks of both HR-defined breast cancers. Exposures during childhood promoting faster development may establish risk associations for both HR-positive and -negative malignancies. The stronger associations of the components of height with ER+PR+ tumors among older women suggest possible hormonal links that could be specific for postmenopausal women.

Leg length, sitting height and postmenopausal breast cancer risk

Background:

Tallness has consistently been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. We investigated the association further by decomposing height into leg length and sitting height.

Methods:

From the prospective Danish cohort ‘Diet, Cancer and Health’, 23 864 postmenopausal women enrolled during 1993–1997 were followed for a diagnosis of breast cancer in the Danish Cancer Registry through 2009.

Results:

The incidence rate ratios for breast cancer were 1.11 (95% CI=1.06–1.16) for each 5 cm increase in total height and 1.09 (95% CI=1.01–1.17) and 1.14 (95% CI=1.04–1.25) for each 5 cm increase in leg length and sitting height, respectively. There was no statistical significant difference between the associations for leg length and sitting height (P=0.47).

Conclusion:

Leg length does not seem to be more strongly associated with breast cancer among postmenopausal women than sitting height.

[Risk and protective factors for breast cancer: a systematic review]

This review aimed to investigate risk and protective factors for breast cancer and to analyze whether scientific evidence from the World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research, published in 2007, was confirmed by new research. In May 2010 we reviewed cohort and case-control analytical studies from 2007 to 2010 in the PubMed, LILACS, and SciELO databases. We selected 27 articles (14 case-control and 13 cohort studies). Breastfeeding and physical activity were protective factors against breast cancer, and alcohol consumption was a risk factor. A direct proportional relationship was observed between larger waist circumference, weight throughout adulthood, and height and risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. The association between body fat and breast cancer is contradictory in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. According to the accumulated evidence, breastfeeding and healthy lifestyle are the factors most strongly associated with breast cancer prevention.

Body size and breast cancer risk: the Multiethnic Cohort

The influence of body size on postmenopausal breast cancer risk was investigated among five racial/ethnic groups in the Multiethnic Cohort. Participants were 45-75 years old at recruitment (1993-1996), living in Hawaii and California. Of the 82,971 White, African American, Native Hawaiian, Japanese and Latina women included in this analysis, 3,030 were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Body mass index (BMI), height, weight and adulthood weight gain were associated with a significantly higher risk and, with the exception of height, were found to vary across ethnic groups. Native Hawaiians and Japanese with a BMI≥30.0 compared to 20.0-24.9 kg/m2 had the highest risk (hazard ratio=1.82, 95% confidence interval: 1.31, 2.54, p-trend=0.001, and hazard ratio=1.59, 95% confidence interval: 1.24, 2.05, p-trend<0.0001, respectively). Current hormone replacement therapy use modified the impact of a high BMI, as non- and former users had a significantly higher risk compared to current users. BMI also had a more pronounced risk for advanced tumors compared to localized tumors. When both BMI and adult weight gain were analyzed simultaneously, adult weight gain, rather than BMI, was a significant risk factor overall. These findings emphasize the significance of maintaining a healthy weight throughout adulthood for the prevention of postmenopausal breast cancer.

Interpreting the epidemiological evidence linking obesity and cancer: A framework for population-attributable risk estimations in Europe

Standard approaches to estimating population-attributable risk (PAR) include modelling estimates of exposure prevalence and relative risk. Here, we examine the associations between body mass index (BMI) and cancer risk and how effect modifications of these associations impact on PAR estimates. In 2008, sex- and population-specific risk estimates were determined for associations with BMI in a standardised meta-analysis for 20 cancer types. Since then, refinements of these estimates have emerged: (i) absence of menopausal hormonal therapy (MHT) is associated with elevated BMI associations in post-menopausal breast, endometrial and ovarian cancers; (ii) current smoking attenuates the BMI associations in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, lung and pancreatic cancers; (iii) prostate screening attenuates BMI associations when all prostate cancers are considered together; and (iv) BMI is differentially associated with different histological subtypes within the same cancer group. Using secondary analyses of the aforementioned meta-analysis, we show 2-3-fold shifts in PAR estimations for breast and endometrial cancers depending on the MHT usage in European countries. We also critically examine how to best handle exposures (in this example, BMI distributions) and relative risk estimates in PAR models, and argue in favour of a counterfactual approach based around BMI means. From these observations, we develop a research framework in which to optimally evaluate future trends in numbers of new cancers attributable to excess BMI. Overall, this framework gives conservative estimates for PAR - nonetheless, the numbers of avoidable cancers across Europe through avoidance of excess weight are substantial.

Pooled analysis of two case-control studies in New Caledonia and French Polynesia of body mass index and differentiated thyroid cancer: the importance of body surface area

BACKGROUND

New Caledonia and French Polynesia have among of the world highest thyroid cancer incidence rates. Studies have demonstrated a relationship between anthropometric parameters and the prevalence of cancer. In this study we evaluated further the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and other anthropometric parameters on the incidence of thyroid cancer in the New Caledonia and French Polynesia populations.

METHODS

We performed a pooled analysis of two case-control studies in New Caledonia and French Polynesia. We included a total of 554 cases (65 men and 489 women) of differentiated thyroid cancers and 776 population control subjects matched on sex, age, and study. Anthropometric factors (height, weight, BMI, body fat percentage [BF%], and body surface area [BSA]), at age 18 and before diagnosis, were analyzed by conditional logistic regression, adjusting for other independent risk factors.

RESULTS

A high proportion of cases (73%) were overweight (25-29.9 kg/m(2)) or obese (≥30 kg/m(2)) before diagnosis of thyroid cancer (against 57% of control subjects). An increased risk of thyroid cancer was observed with greater height, weight, BMI, BF%, and BSA. The association of thyroid cancer risk with height, weight, BMI, and BF% did not remain when adjustment was made for BSA. By comparison, the odds ratios for the highest versus the lowest quartile of BSA at age 18 were 3.97 (95% confidence interval, 2.57-6.15; p < 0.001) for women and 4.06 (95% confidence interval, 1.03-16.06; p = 0.04) for men. The association between thyroid cancer risk and each of anthropometric factors did not depend on tumor size or menopausal status before diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Among anthropometric factors, BSA plays a dominant role in thyroid cancer risk and explains the apparent role of BMI.

Body fatness at young ages and risk of breast cancer throughout life

Body fatness at young ages may be related to breast cancer risk independently of adult adiposity. The authors conducted a prospective analysis among 188,860 women (7,582 breast cancer cases) in the Nurses' Health Study (1988-2004) and Nurses' Health Study II (1989-2005) who recalled their body fatness at ages 5, 10, and 20 years using a 9-level pictogram (level 1: most lean; level 9: most overweight). Body fatness at young ages was inversely associated with risk of both premenopausal and postmenopausal breast cancer (per 1-unit increase in adolescent body fatness, relative risk (RR) = 0.88 and RR = 0.91, respectively; P(trend) < 0.0001). Among all women, the RR for adolescent body fatness of level 6.5 or higher versus level 1 was 0.57 (per 1-unit increase, RR = 0.90; P(trend) < 0.0001) and was unaffected by adjustment for current body mass index. The association was stronger for women with birth weights under 8.5 pounds (<3.9 kg) than for women with birth weights of 8.5 pounds or more (> or =3.9 kg) (per 1-unit increase, RR = 0.89 and RR = 0.94, respectively; P(interaction) = 0.04) and stronger for estrogen receptor-negative tumors than for estrogen receptor-positive tumors (per 1-unit increase, RR = 0.86 and RR = 0.92, respectively; P(heterogeneity) = 0.03). Body fatness at young ages has a strong and independent inverse relation to breast cancer risk throughout life.

Correlation Between Anthropometric Measures and Biomarker Changes After Neoadjuvant Therapy With Tamoxifen or Anastrozole in Postmenopausal Women With Breast Cancer

Background

Epidemiological studies have reported positive associations between anthropometric measures and risk for developing breast cancers that express hormone receptors and associated mortality. However, the impact of nutritional status on the molecular response to endocrine therapy has yet to be described.

Methods

Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HP), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were measured in patients with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) before and after neoadjuvant treatment with either tamoxifen or anastrozole, and a possible correlation with prognostic factors, as estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), and proliferative index (Ki-67), was analyzed. Fifty-seven patients with palpable ER-positive IDC were randomized into three neoadjuvant treatment groups and received anastrozole or placebo or tamoxifen for twenty-one days. Biomarker status was obtained by comparing the immunohistochemical evaluation of samples collected before and after treatment, using the Allred scoring system. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).

Results and Conclusions

After treatment, the anastrozole group showed reduced ER and PgR expression (p < 0.05), and both the anastrozole and tamoxifen groups showed lower Ki-67 status. A significant reduction in PgR positivity (p < 0.05) was found in women with large WC and HC who were treated with anastrozole. Reduction in PgR positivity also tended to be associated with BMI (p = 0.09) in the anastrozole group. BMI, WC, HC and WHR correlated neither with biomarker levels in the tamoxifen and placebo groups nor with ER and Ki-67 status in the anastrozole group after primary endocrine treatment.

Association of body size measurements and mammographic density in Korean women: the Healthy Twin study

BACKGROUND

Both greater body size and higher mammographic density seem to be associated with a risk of breast cancer. To understand a mechanism through which body size confers a higher risk of breast cancer, associations between mammographic measures and various measures of body size were examined.

METHOD

Study subjects were 730 Korean women selected from the Healthy Twin study. Body size measurements were completed according to standard protocol. Mammographic density was measured from digital mammograms using a computer-assisted method from which the total area and the dense area of the breast were calculated, and nondense area and percent of dense area were straightforwardly derived. Linear mixed models considering familial correlations were used for analyses.

RESULTS

Total and nondense areas were positively associated with current body mass index (BMI), BMI at 35 years, total fat percent, waist circumference, and waist-hip ratio, whereas percent dense area was inversely associated with these characteristics in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Height was not associated with any mammographic measure. Total and nondense areas had strong positive genetic correlations with current BMI, total fat percent, waist circumference, and waist-hip ratio, whereas percent dense area had strong inverse genetic correlations with these body size measurements.

CONCLUSION

Mammographic density and obesity are inversely associated with each other possibly from common genetic influences that have opposite effects on mammographic density and obesity in Korean women.

IMPACT

The association between obesity and breast cancer does not seem to be mediated through mammographic density.

Interaction between menopausal status and obesity in affecting breast cancer risk

Obesity has a complex relationship to breast cancer risk that differs in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Before the menopause, the level of adiposity is inversely related to risk, indicative of a protective effect, whereas in postmenopausal women, particularly the elderly, the association is a positive one, consistent with obesity being a risk factor. The importance of high estrogen production in adipose tissue, with consequent elevation of circulating biologically available estradiol, in the promotional effect of obesity on postmenopausal breast carcinogenesis is well established; the resulting tumors express both estrogen and progesterone receptors. The mechanism(s) for the protective effect in premenopausal women is less well understood, but the breast cancers that do develop in the presence of obesity are most often estrogen and progesterone receptor negative, consistent with the selection of non-estrogen-dependent tumor cells which are dependent on growth factors such as insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I and some adipokines. The influence of menopausal status on the relationships between adiposity and breast cancer appears to be modified within each category by age; the protective effect before the menopause may be limited to younger women (<35 years), and the adverse effect was found to apply specifically to older postmenopausal women. Although randomized trials of weight reduction for postmenopausal breast cancer prevention have not been performed, observational studies suggested that risk reduction does occur; in addition, other health benefits of weight control need to be considered regardless of menopausal status.

Estrogen and its role in gastrointestinal health and disease

INTRODUCTION

While the concept of a role of estrogen in gastrointestinal (in particular, colonic) malignancy has generated excitement in recent years, no review has examined the role of this potent and omnipresent steroid hormone in physiological states or its contribution to the development of benign pathological processes. Understanding these effects (and mechanisms therein) may provide a platform for a deeper understanding of more complex disease processes.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted using the PubMed database and the search terms were "estrogen," "estrogen AND gastrointestinal tract," "estrogen AND colon," "estrogen AND esophagus," "estrogen AND small intestine," "estrogen AND stomach," "estrogen AND gallbladder," and "estrogen AND motility." Bibliographies of extracted studies were further cross-referenced. In all, 136 full-text articles were selected for review. A logical organ-based approach was taken to enable extraction of data of clinical relevance and meaningful interpretation thereof. Insight is provided into the hypotheses, theories, controversies, and contradictions generated over the last five decades by extensive investigation of estrogen in human, animal, and cell models using techniques as diverse as autoradiographic studies of baboons to human population analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Effects from esophagus through to the colon and rectum are summarized in this first concise collection of data pertaining to estrogenic actions in gastrointestinal health and disease. Mechanisms of these actions are discussed where possible. Undoubtedly, this hormone exerts many actions yet to be elucidated, and its potential therapeutic applications remain, as yet, largely unexplored.