Silke Kropp

A common coding variant in CASP8 is associated with breast cancer risk

The Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC) has been established to conduct combined case-control analyses with augmented statistical power to try to confirm putative genetic associations with breast cancer. We genotyped nine SNPs for which there was some prior evidence of an association with breast cancer: CASP8 D302H (rs1045485), IGFBP3 −202 C → A (rs2854744), SOD2 V16A (rs1799725), TGFB1 L10P (rs1982073), ATM S49C (rs1800054), ADH1B 3′ UTR A → G (rs1042026), CDKN1A S31R (rs1801270), ICAM5 V301I (rs1056538) and NUMA1 A794G (rs3750913). We included data from 9–15 studies, comprising 11,391–18,290 cases and 14,753–22,670 controls. We found evidence of an association with breast cancer for CASP8 D302H (with odds ratios (OR) of 0.89 (95% confidence interval (c.i.): 0.85–0.94) and 0.74 (95% c.i.: 0.62–0.87) for heterozygotes and rare homozygotes, respectively, compared with common homozygotes; Ptrend = 1.1 × 10−7) and weaker evidence for TGFB1 L10P (OR = 1.07 (95% c.i.: 1.02–1.13) and 1.16 (95% c.i.: 1.08–1.25), respectively; Ptrend = 2.8 × 10−5). These results demonstrate that common breast cancer susceptibility alleles with small effects on risk can be identified, given sufficiently powerful studies.NOTE: In the version of this article initially published, there was an error that affected the calculations of the odds ratios, confidence intervals, between-study heterogeneity, trend test and test for association for SNP ICAM5 V301I in Table 1 (ICAM5 V301I); genotype counts in Supplementary Table 2 (ICAM5; ICR_FBCS and Kuopio studies) and minor allele frequencies, trend test and odds ratios for heterozygotes and rare homozygotes in Supplementary Table 3 (ICAM5; ICR_FBCS and Kuopio studies). The errors in Table 1 have been corrected in the PDF version of the article. The errors in supplementary information have been corrected online.

Association between Polymorphisms in the DNA Repair Genes, XRCC1, APE1, and XPD and Acute Side Effects of Radiotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients

Purpose: Several DNA repair gene polymorphisms have been described, which affect DNA repair capacity and modulate cancer susceptibility. We evaluated the association of six polymorphisms in the DNA repair genes: XRCC1 (Arg194Trp, Arg280His, and Arg399Gln), APE1 (Asp148Glu), and XPD (Lys751Gln and Asp312Asn), with the risk of acute skin reactions following radiotherapy. Design: We conducted a prospective study of 446 female patients with breast cancer who received radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery. Individual genetic polymorphisms were determined using melting point analysis of sequence-specific hybridization probes. The development of acute skin reactions (moist desquamation) associated with DNA repair gene polymorphisms was modeled using Cox proportional hazards, accounting for cumulative biologically effective radiation dose. Results: Overall, the development of acute toxicity, which presented in 77 patients, was not associated with the genetic variants studied, although the hazard ratios (HR) were generally below 1. Risks were however differential by body mass index. Among normal-weight patients only, both carriers of the APE1 148Glu and the XRCC1 399Gln alleles had decreased risk of acute skin reactions after radiotherapy (HR, 0.49 and 0.51, respectively). The results for XRCC1 were confirmed by haplotype analysis. When considering joint effects, we observed that compared with homozygote carriers of the wild-type allele in both genes, the risk was most strongly reduced in carriers of both APE1 148Glu and XRCC1 399Gln alleles with normal weight [HR, 0.19; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.06-0.56] but not in those with overweight (HR, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.56-3.45; Pinteraction = 0.009). Conclusion: The XRCC1 399Gln or APE1 148Glu alleles may be protective against the development of acute side effects after radiotherapy in patients with normal weight.

Risk of different histological types of postmenopausal breast cancer by type and regimen of menopausal hormone therapy.

In a large population‐based case–control study in Germany, including 3,464 breast cancer cases aged 50–74 at diagnosis and 6,657 population based and frequency matched controls, we investigated the effects of menopausal hormone therapy (HT) by type, regimen, timing and progestagenic constituent on postmenopausal breast cancer risk overall and according to histological type. Data were collected by face‐to‐face interviews. Logistic and polytomous logistic regression analysis were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95%‐confidence intervals (95% CI). Risk of invasive breast cancer was significantly elevated in current users (OR, 1.73, 95% CI, 1.55–1.94) and heterogeneous by histological type (p < 0.01), being more than 2‐fold higher for lobular and tubular than for ductal cancer. Risks for current users varied significantly by type and regimen of HT, with ORs per year of use of 1.05 (95% CI, 1.04–1.06) for continuous combined estrogen–progestagen, 1.03 (95% CI, 1.02–1.04) for cyclical EP and 1.01 (95% CI, 1.00–1.03) for estrogen‐only therapy. No statistically significant increase in risk was observed after 5 years of cessation of HT use for any histological type. Analyses of progestagenic content by regimen revealed a significantly higher risk for continuously administered norethisterone‐ or levonorgestrel‐derived progestagens than for continuously administered progesterone‐derived progestagens (OR, 2.27, 95% CI, 1.98–2.62 vs. 1.47, 95% CI, 1.12–1.93, respectively, p = 0.003), which may be explained by dose rather than type of progestagen. These data suggest that the risks associated with menopausal HT differ by type and regimen of HT and histological type of breast cancer and may vary by progestagenic component, depending on the effective dose.

Cigarette Smoking, N-Acetyltransferase 2 Genotypes, and Breast Cancer Risk: Pooled Analysis and Meta-analysis

Approximately 10 years ago, it was noted that smoking increased risk of breast cancer among women with N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) slow acetylation genotypes. This report was followed by a number of studies to address this question. We pooled data from 10 existing studies and also conducted a meta-analysis of 13 studies published from 1996 to October 2006 that were conducted among women, were published in English, and had adequate information on smoking and NAT2 genotyping. Raw data were requested from authors. Unconditional logistic regression was done for pooled analysis, and random effect models was done for meta-analysis. Study heterogeneity was assessed, and sensitivity tests were done when subgroups were excluded from the analysis. In the pooled analysis, there was a significant interaction between smoking, NAT2 genotype, and risk of breast cancer [pack-years (continuous variable, Pinteraction = 0.03)], with higher pack-years significantly associated with an increased risk of breast cancer among women with NAT2 slow genotypes (pooled analysis relative risk, 1.49; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-2.04). These findings were supported by the meta-analysis including all studies; pack-years were significantly associated with risk among slow acetylators in a dose-dependent fashion (meta-analysis relative risk, 1.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-1.68 for ≥20 pack-years versus never smokers), but not among rapid acetylators. Similar relationships were noted for smoking status (ever, never) and duration of smoking. Our results show that cigarette smoking is associated with an increase in breast cancer risk among women with NAT2 slow acetylation genotypes. Because slow NAT2 genotypes are present in 50% to 60% of Caucasian populations, smoking is likely to play an important role in breast cancer etiology. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(1):15–26)

The Gc2 Allele of the Vitamin D Binding Protein Is Associated with a Decreased Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Risk, Independent of the Vitamin D Status

Vitamin D pathway gene polymorphisms may influence breast cancer risk by altering potential anticarcinogenic effects of vitamin D. The association between polymorphisms in the vitamin D binding protein (Gc) and postmenopausal breast cancer risk, with additional focus on the influence of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], the biomarker for vitamin D status in humans, has not been examined thus far. We assessed the combined effects of two known functional polymorphisms in the Gc gene (rs4588 and rs7041), composing the phenotypic alleles Gc1s, Gc1f (combined: Gc1), and Gc2, on postmenopausal breast cancer risk and potential effect modification by 25(OH)D status in a population-based case-control study including 1,402 cases and 2,608 matched controls. Odds ratios (OR) for breast cancer risk adjusted for potential confounders were calculated for Gc genotypes. ANOVA was used to compare geometric means of serum 25(OH)D across Gc genotypes. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations in the control group significantly differed by Gc genotype, being lowest in Gc2 allele carriers. The geometric means of 25(OH)D were 53.0, 47.8, and 40.4 nmol/L for Gc1-1, Gc2-1, and Gc2-2 genotypes, respectively (Ptrend < 0.0001). Gc2-2 genotype was associated with a significantly decreased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer with an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 0.72 (0.54-0.96), compared with homozygote Gc1s allele carriers. No interaction between 25(OH)D status and Gc genotype was observed, nor did the association change considerably after adjustment for 25(OH)D status. Our results provide evidence for a serum 25(OH)D-independent effect of Gc2 allele carrier status in postmenopausal breast cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(6):1339–43)

Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) Is Associated with Early-Onset Lung Cancer

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) play a key role in the breakdown of extracellular matrix and in inflammatory processes. MMP1 is the most highly expressed interstitial collagenase degrading fibrillar collagens. Overexpression of MMP1 has been shown in tumor tissues and has been suggested to be associated with tumor invasion and metastasis. Nine haplotype tagging and additional two intronic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of MMP1 were genotyped in a case control sample, consisting of 635 lung cancer cases with onset of disease below 51 years of age and 1,300 age- and sex-matched cancer-free controls. Two regions of linkage disequilibrium (LD) of MMP1 could be observed: a region of low LD comprising the 5′ region including the promoter and a region of high LD starting from exon 1 to the end of the gene and including the 3′ flanking region. Several SNPs were identified to be individually significantly associated with risk of early-onset lung cancer. The most significant effect was seen for rs1938901 (P = 0.0089), rs193008 (P = 0.0108), and rs996999 (P = 0.0459). For rs996999, significance vanished after correction for multiple testing. For each of these SNPs, the major allele was associated with an increase in risk with an odds ratio between 1.2 and 1.3 (95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.5). The haplotype analysis supported these findings, especially for subgroups with high smoking intensity. In summary, we identified MMP1 to be associated with an increased risk for lung cancer, which was modified by smoking. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(5):1127–35)

Genetic polymorphisms in DNA repair and damage response genes and late normal tissue complications of radiotherapy for breast cancer

Breast-conserving surgery followed by radiotherapy is effective in reducing recurrence; however, telangiectasia and fibrosis can occur as late skin side effects. As radiotherapy acts through producing DNA damage, we investigated whether genetic variation in DNA repair and damage response confers increased susceptibility to develop late normal skin complications. Breast cancer patients who received radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery were examined for late complications of radiotherapy after a median follow-up time of 51 months. Polymorphisms in genes involved in DNA repair (APEX1, XRCC1, XRCC2, XRCC3, XPD) and damage response (TP53, P21) were determined. Associations between telangiectasia and genotypes were assessed among 409 patients, using multivariate logistic regression. A total of 131 patients presented with telangiectasia and 28 patients with fibrosis. Patients with variant TP53 genotypes either for the Arg72Pro or the PIN3 polymorphism were at increased risk of telangiectasia. The odds ratios (OR) were 1.66 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02–2.72) for 72Pro carriers and 1.95 (95% CI: 1.13–3.35) for PIN3 A2 allele carriers compared with non-carriers. The TP53 haplotype containing both variant alleles was associated with almost a two-fold increase in risk (OR 1.97, 95% CI: 1.11–3.52) for telangiectasia. Variants in the TP53 gene may therefore modify the risk of late skin toxicity after radiotherapy.

Consortium analysis of 7 candidate SNPs for ovarian cancer.

The Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium selected 7 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), for which there is evidence from previous studies of an association with variation in ovarian cancer or breast cancer risks. The SNPs selected for analysis were F31I (rs2273535) in AURKA, N372H (rs144848) in BRCA2, rs2854344 in intron 17 of RB1, rs2811712 5′ flanking CDKN2A, rs523349 in the 3′ UTR of SRD5A2, D302H (rs1045485) in CASP8 and L10P (rs1982073) in TGFB1. Fourteen studies genotyped 4,624 invasive epithelial ovarian cancer cases and 8,113 controls of white non‐Hispanic origin. A marginally significant association was found for RB1 when all studies were included [ordinal odds ratio (OR) 0.88 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79–1.00) p = 0.041 and dominant OR 0.87 (95% CI 0.76–0.98) p = 0.025]; when the studies that originally suggested an association were excluded, the result was suggestive although no longer statistically significant (ordinal OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.79–1.06). This SNP has also been shown to have an association with decreased risk in breast cancer. There was a suggestion of an association for AURKA, when one study that caused significant study heterogeneity was excluded [ordinal OR 1.10 (95% CI 1.01–1.20) p = 0.027; dominant OR 1.12 (95% CI 1.01–1.24) p = 0.03]. The other 5 SNPs in BRCA2, CDKN2A, SRD5A2, CASP8 and TGFB1 showed no association with ovarian cancer risk; given the large sample size, these results can also be considered to be informative. These null results for SNPs identified from relatively large initial studies shows the importance of replicating associations by a consortium approach.

Physical Activity and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer: Effect Modification by Breast Cancer Subtypes and Effective Periods in Life

Physical activity (PA) has been inversely associated with postmenopausal breast cancer risk. However, it is unclear how and in which life periods PA may be effective to reduce breast cancer risk. Moreover, the evidence is still not judged as ‘convincing’ as there is some heterogeneity among study results. Most studies regarded breast cancer as a single disease, at best separated by menopausal status. Yet, breast cancers are heterogeneous and likely have different etiologies. Therefore, we analyzed the association of PA with different breast cancer subtypes in 3,414 postmenopausal cases and 6,569 controls from a case-control study on breast cancer conducted 2002-2005 in Germany (MARIE study). PA in the age periods 30-49 and 50+ years was assessed, including leisure-time PA (sports, cycling, walking) and non-recreational PA (occupational and household activities). There was a significant protective effect of leisure-time PA for ER+/PR+ carcinomas (adjusted odds ratio = 0.71, 95% confidence interval: 0.60, 0.85; trend P = 0.0001), but no effect for ER-/PR- carcinomas. Moreover, looking at physical activity pattern over time, the effect of PA after menopause on reducing breast cancer risk was more pronounced than the effect of PA before menopause. Overall, effects of PA were independent from adult weight gain, body mass index, and energy intake. These findings suggest that leisure-time PA after menopause may reduce postmenopausal breast cancer risk at least in part via hormonal pathways and not solely by changing body composition. Inactive postmenopausal women should be encouraged to become physically active even later in life. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(12):3402–10)

Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and haplotypes and postmenopausal breast cancer risk.

IntroductionVitamin D receptor (VDR) genotypes may influence breast cancer risk by altering potential anticarcinogenic effects of vitamin D, but epidemiological studies have been inconsistent. Effect modification by serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 [OH]D), the biomarker for vitamin D status in humans, has rarely been examined.MethodsWe assessed the effects of two frequently analyzed polymorphisms (FokI and TaqI) and two potentially functional variants (VDR-5132 and Cdx2) in the VDR gene, which thus far have not been analyzed with respect to breast cancer risk, on postmenopausal breast cancer risk in a population-based, case-control study including 1,408 patients (cases) and 2,612 control individuals (controls) matched for year of birth. Odds ratios (ORs) for breast cancer adjusted for potential confounders were calculated for genotypes and estimated haplotypes.ResultsNo differences in serum 25(OD)D concentrations by VDR genotype were observed. None of the analyzed polymorphisms was associated with overall risk for postmenopausal breast cancer. However, the TaqI polymorphism was associated with a significantly increased risk for oestrogen receptor positive tumours (OR = 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00 to 1.38, comparing t allele carriers with noncarriers) but not for oestrogen receptor negative tumours (OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.69 to 1.13; P for interaction = 0.04). Haplotype analysis revealed the haplotype FtCA (FokI F, TaqI t, VDR-5132 C, Cdx2 A), which contains the TaqI t allele, to be associated with a significantly greater breast cancer risk as compared with the most frequent haplotype FTCG (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.00 to 2.05). No significant interaction between VDR genotypes or haplotypes and 25(OH)D was observed.ConclusionOur results support potential effects of VDR polymorphisms on postmenopausal breast cancer risk and possible differential effects of receptor status of the tumour. However, further studies focusing on the influence of polymorphisms and haplotypes on VDR functionality, activity and concentration are needed.