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Wunderle M, Heindl F, Behrens AS, Häberle L, Hack CC, Heusinger K, Huebner H, Gass P, Ruebner M, Schulz-Wendtland R, Erber R, Hartmann A, Beckmann MW, Dougall WC, Press MF, Fasching PA, Emons J. Correlation of RANK and RANKL with mammographic density in primary breast cancer patients. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2024; 310:1223-1233. [PMID: 38836929 PMCID: PMC11258178 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-024-07495-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK) and its ligand (RANKL) have been shown to promote proliferation of the breast and breast carcinogenesis. The objective of this analysis was to investigate whether tumor-specific RANK and RANKL expression in patients with primary breast cancer is associated with high percentage mammographic density (PMD), which is a known breast cancer risk factor. METHODS Immunohistochemical staining of RANK and RANKL was performed in tissue microarrays (TMAs) from primary breast cancer samples of the Bavarian Breast Cancer Cases and Controls (BBCC) study. For RANK and RANKL expression, histochemical scores (H scores) with a cut-off value of > 0 vs 0 were established. PMD was measured in the contralateral, non-diseased breast. Linear regression models with PMD as outcome were calculated using common predictors of PMD (age at breast cancer diagnosis, body mass index (BMI) and parity) and RANK and RANKL H scores. Additionally, Spearman rank correlations (ρ) between PMD and RANK and RANKL H score were performed. RESULTS In the final cohort of 412 patients, breast cancer-specific RANK and RANKL expression was not associated with PMD (P = 0.68). There was no correlation between PMD and RANK H score (Spearman's ρ = 0.01, P = 0.87) or RANKL H score (Spearman's ρ = 0.04, P = 0.41). RANK expression was highest in triple-negative tumors, followed by HER2-positive, luminal B-like and luminal A-like tumors, while no subtype-specific expression of RANKL was found. CONCLUSION Results do not provide evidence for an association of RANK and RANKL expression in primary breast cancer with PMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Wunderle
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Felix Heindl
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Annika S Behrens
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lothar Häberle
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
- Biostatistics Unit, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carolin C Hack
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Katharina Heusinger
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Hanna Huebner
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Paul Gass
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Ruebner
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Schulz-Wendtland
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
- Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ramona Erber
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias W Beckmann
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
| | - William C Dougall
- Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4702, Australia
- Hematology and Oncology Research, Amgen, Inc, Seattle, WA, 98119, USA
| | - Michael F Press
- Department of Pathology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Peter A Fasching
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Julius Emons
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Bavarian Cancer Research Center (BZKF), Erlangen, Germany
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2
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Mintz R, Wang M, Xu S, Colditz GA, Markovic C, Toriola AT. Hormone and receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK) pathway gene expression in plasma and mammographic breast density in postmenopausal women. Breast Cancer Res 2022; 24:28. [PMID: 35422057 PMCID: PMC9008951 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-022-01522-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hormones impact breast tissue proliferation. Studies investigating the associations of circulating hormone levels with mammographic breast density have reported conflicting results. Due to the limited number of studies, we investigated the associations of hormone gene expression as well as their downstream mediators within the plasma with mammographic breast density in postmenopausal women. Methods We recruited postmenopausal women at their annual screening mammogram at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis. We used the NanoString nCounter platform to quantify gene expression of hormones (prolactin, progesterone receptor (PGR), estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT1 and STAT5), and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB (RANK) pathway markers (RANK, RANKL, osteoprotegerin, TNFRSF18, and TNFRSF13B) in plasma. We used Volpara to measure volumetric percent density, dense volume, and non-dense volume. Linear regression models, adjusted for confounders, were used to evaluate associations between gene expression (linear fold change) and mammographic breast density. Results One unit increase in ESR1, RANK, and TNFRSF18 gene expression was associated with 8% (95% CI 0–15%, p value = 0.05), 10% (95% CI 0–20%, p value = 0.04) and % (95% CI 0–9%, p value = 0.04) higher volumetric percent density, respectively. There were no associations between gene expression of other markers and volumetric percent density. One unit increase in osteoprotegerin and PGR gene expression was associated with 12% (95% CI 4–19%, p value = 0.003) and 7% (95% CI 0–13%, p value = 0.04) lower non-dense volume, respectively. Conclusion These findings provide new insight on the associations of plasma hormonal and RANK pathway gene expression with mammographic breast density in postmenopausal women and require confirmation in other studies. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13058-022-01522-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Mintz
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Mei Wang
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8100, 660 South Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Shuai Xu
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8100, 660 South Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Graham A Colditz
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8100, 660 South Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.,Siteman Cancer Center, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Chris Markovic
- McDonnell Genome Institute at Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 63018, USA
| | - Adetunji T Toriola
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8100, 660 South Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA. .,Siteman Cancer Center, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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3
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Ahern TP, Sprague BL, Farina NH, Tsai E, Cuke M, Kontos D, Wood ME. Lifestyle, Behavioral, and Dietary Risk Factors in Relation to Mammographic Breast Density in Women at High Risk for Breast Cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2021; 30:936-944. [PMID: 33619019 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-20-1567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women at high risk for breast cancer due to genetics or risk factor profiles are counseled to adopt lifestyle, behavioral, and dietary changes to help reduce their risk. These recommendations are based on studies of women at average risk, so their effectiveness in high-risk women is unclear. METHODS We evaluated the impact of physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and intake of folate and carotenoids on mammographic breast density-a proxy for breast cancer risk-among 387 high-risk women. Exposures were self-reported on questionnaires. Breast dense area, nondense area, and percent dense area were measured from screening mammograms with Library for Breast Radiodensity Assessment software. Cross-sectional associations were estimated with multivariable quantile regression models. RESULTS After adjusting for age, adiposity, reproductive history, and use of postmenopausal hormones, no breast density measure was associated with physical activity level, smoking status, alcohol consumption, or estimated intake of folate, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin, and beta-cryptoxanthin. Lycopene intake was associated with lower dense area when comparing the highest and lowest intake categories (adjusted difference in median = -14 cm2, 95% confidence interval: -29 to 1.3 cm2). This association may be explained by incomplete adjustment for adiposity. CONCLUSIONS Recommended lifestyle, behavioral, and dietary changes to mitigate personal risk of breast cancer do not substantially impact mammographic breast density measures. IMPACT Alternative strategies, such as increased uptake of chemoprevention, may better serve risk reduction efforts in women at high risk for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas P Ahern
- Department of Surgery, Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont. .,Department of Biochemistry, Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Brian L Sprague
- Department of Surgery, Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.,Department of Biochemistry, Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.,Department of Radiology, Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Nicholas H Farina
- Department of Biochemistry, Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Erin Tsai
- Department of Radiology, Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Melissa Cuke
- Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Despina Kontos
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Marie E Wood
- Department of Medicine, Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
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4
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Wunderle M, Ruebner M, Häberle L, Schwenke E, Hack CC, Bayer CM, Koch MC, Schwitulla J, Schulz-Wendtland R, Kozieradzki I, Lux MP, Beckmann MW, Jud SM, Penninger JM, Schneider MO, Fasching PA. RANKL and OPG and their influence on breast volume changes during pregnancy in healthy women. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5171. [PMID: 32198488 PMCID: PMC7083828 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62070-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer risk is reduced by number of pregnancies and breastfeeding duration, however studies of breast changes during or after pregnancy are rare. Breast volume changes - although not linked to breast cancer risk - might be an interesting phenotype in this context for correlative studies, as changes of breast volume vary between pregnant women. Serum receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) and its antagonist osteoprotegerin (OPG) were measured prospectively before gestational week 12, and three-dimensional breast volume assessments were performed. A linear regression model including breast volume at the start of pregnancy, RANKL, OPG, and other factors was used to predict breast volume at term. The mean breast volume was 413 mL at gestational week 12, increasing by a mean of 99 mL up to gestational week 40. In addition to body mass index and breast volume at the beginning of pregnancy, RANKL and OPG appeared to influence breast volume with a mean increase by 32 mL (P = 0.04) and a mean reduction by 27 mL (P = 0.04), respectively. Linking the RANKL/RANK/OPG pathway with breast volume changes supports further studies aiming at analysing breast changes during pregnancy with regard to breast cancer risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Wunderle
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Ruebner
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lothar Häberle
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Biostatistics Unit, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Eva Schwenke
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carolin C Hack
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christian M Bayer
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Martin C Koch
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Judith Schwitulla
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ruediger Schulz-Wendtland
- Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ivona Kozieradzki
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael P Lux
- Klinik für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe, Frauenklinik St. Louise, Paderborn, St. Josefs-Krankenhaus, Salzkotten, Germany
| | - Matthias W Beckmann
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sebastian M Jud
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Josef M Penninger
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael O Schneider
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Peter A Fasching
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.
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5
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Fabian CJ, Nye L, Powers KR, Nydegger JL, Kreutzjans AL, Phillips TA, Metheny T, Winblad O, Zalles CM, Hagan CR, Goodman ML, Gajewski BJ, Koestler DC, Chalise P, Kimler BF. Effect of Bazedoxifene and Conjugated Estrogen (Duavee) on Breast Cancer Risk Biomarkers in High-Risk Women: A Pilot Study. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2019; 12:711-720. [PMID: 31420361 PMCID: PMC6774863 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-19-0315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Interventions that relieve vasomotor symptoms while reducing risk for breast cancer would likely improve uptake of chemoprevention for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. We conducted a pilot study with 6 months of the tissue selective estrogen complex bazedoxifene (20 mg) and conjugated estrogen (0.45 mg; Duavee) to assess feasibility and effects on risk biomarkers for postmenopausal breast cancer. Risk biomarkers included fully automated mammographic volumetric density (Volpara), benign breast tissue Ki-67 (MIB-1 immunochemistry), and serum levels of progesterone, IGF-1, and IGFBP3, bioavailable estradiol and testosterone. Twenty-eight perimenopausal and postmenopausal women at increased risk for breast cancer were enrolled: 13 in cohort A with baseline Ki-67 < 1% and 15 in cohort B with baseline Ki-67 of 1% to 4%. All completed the study with > 85% drug adherence. Significant changes in biomarkers, uncorrected for multiple comparisons, were a decrease in mammographic fibroglandular volume (P = 0.043); decreases in serum progesterone, bioavailable testosterone, and IGF-1 (P < 0.01), an increase in serum bioavailable estradiol (P < 0.001), and for women from cohort B a reduction in Ki-67 (P = 0.017). An improvement in median hot flash score from 15 at baseline to 0 at 6 months, and menopause-specific quality-of-life total, vasomotor, and sexual domain scores were also observed (P < 0.001). Given the favorable effects on risk biomarkers and patient reported outcomes, a placebo-controlled phase IIB trial is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol J Fabian
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Lauren Nye
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Kandy R Powers
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Jennifer L Nydegger
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Amy L Kreutzjans
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Teresa A Phillips
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Trina Metheny
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Onalisa Winblad
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Carola M Zalles
- Department of Pathology, Boca Raton Hospital, Boca Raton, Florida
| | - Christy R Hagan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Merit L Goodman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Byron J Gajewski
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Devin C Koestler
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Prabhakar Chalise
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Bruce F Kimler
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.
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6
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Toriola AT, Appleton CM, Zong X, Luo J, Weilbaecher K, Tamimi RM, Colditz GA. Circulating Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-κB (RANK), RANK ligand (RANKL), and Mammographic Density in Premenopausal Women. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2018; 11:789-796. [PMID: 30352839 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-18-0199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK) pathway plays essential roles in breast development. Mammographic density is a strong risk factor for breast cancer, especially in premenopausal women. We, therefore, investigated the associations of circulating RANK and soluble RANK ligand (sRANKL) with mammographic density in premenopausal women. Mammographic density was measured as volumetric percent density in 365 cancer-free premenopausal women (mean age, 47.5 years) attending screening mammogram at the Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis, MO). We used linear regression models adjusted for confounders, to compare the least-square means of volumetric percent density across tertiles of circulating RANK and sRANKL. Furthermore, because RANKL levels in mammary tissue are modulated by progesterone, we stratified analyses by progesterone levels. The mean volumetric percent density increased across tertiles of circulating RANK from 8.6% in tertile 1, to 8.8% in tertile 2, and 9.5% in tertile 3 (P trend = 0.02). For sRANKL, the mean volumetric percent density was 8.5% in tertile 1, 9.4% in tertile 2, and 9.0% in tertile 3 (P trend = 0.30). However, when restricted to women with higher progesterone levels, the mean volumetric percent density increased from 9.1% in sRANKL tertile 1 to 9.5% in tertile 2, and 10.1% in tertile 3 (P trend = 0.01). Circulating RANK was positively associated with volumetric percent density, while circulating sRANKL was positively associated with volumetric percent density among women with higher progesterone levels. These findings support the inhibition of RANKL signaling as a pathway to reduce mammographic density and possibly breast cancer incidence in high-risk women with dense breasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adetunji T Toriola
- Department of Surgery, Division of Public Health Sciences, and Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
| | - Catherine M Appleton
- Division of Diagnostic Radiology, Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Xiaoyu Zong
- Department of Surgery, Division of Public Health Sciences, and Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Jingqin Luo
- Department of Surgery, Division of Public Health Sciences, and Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Katherine Weilbaecher
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Rulla M Tamimi
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Graham A Colditz
- Department of Surgery, Division of Public Health Sciences, and Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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