Sadeghi F, Shirkhoda M. Allergy-Related Diseases and Risk of Breast Cancer: The Role of Skewed Immune System on This Association.
ALLERGY & RHINOLOGY 2019;
10:2152656719860820. [PMID:
31384488 PMCID:
PMC6647241 DOI:
10.1177/2152656719860820]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background
The role of allergy in breast cancer (BC) development remains inconclusive. A
comprehensive review article is required to present and discuss all findings
on this topic and to clarify the association between allergic disorders and
the risk of BC.
Objective
We aimed to explain the association between atopy, different types of
allergic disorders, and the risk of BC. Moreover, we explored the
immunological mechanism behind this association.
Methods
We electronically reviewed publications in PubMed from 1979 to 2018 relating
to atopy, allergy, asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, food
allergy, drug allergy, immunoglobulin E (IgE) or prick test, and BC.
Results
Most of the identified studies demonstrated nonsignificant results. However,
the pattern of the results indicated an increased risk of BC in individuals
with a history of allergies. The majority of studies reported higher
prevalence of atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis among individuals with
BC compared to the control groups. Similarity, most of the studies revealed
an increased risk of BC among people with a positive history of atopic using
IgE specific or prick test. However, a null association was reported in most
of the asthmatic studies, and controversial results were detected in the
individuals with history of food and drug allergies.
Conclusion
The majority of findings were not statistically significant. Moreover, bias
and other methodological problems are the major issues, which make it
challenging to compare the findings of different studies and reach a strong
conclusive result. However, the pattern of the results from most studies
indicated that allergic diseases might be associated with an increased risk
of BC. Skewed immune system toward T-helper 2 might have an important role
in this association.
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