The Correlation between Gene Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, has been shown to influence breast cancer susceptibility. The relationship between its risk of breast cancer and polymorphism has been demonstrated, but the results remain controversial. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the correlation between the gene polymorphism and susceptibility to breast cancer.

METHODS

The genotype frequencies of polymorphism were compared between 204 breast cancer cases and 210 controls using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism techinques. Further multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between polymorphism and breast cancer risk.

RESULTS

The frequency of the allele of polymorphism in breast cancer cases was significantly higher than that in the controls (56.1% vs. 47.9%). The frequencies of genotypes , , and in the cases were 22.1%, 43.6%, and 34.3%, respectively, while in the control group they were 24.3%, 55.7%, and 20.0%, respectively. There was a significant difference between the prevalence of genotype in the 2 groups (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-3.66;   =  0.014). Breast cancer risk increased in women with genotype, body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m (OR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.09-4.36), late age at first birth (OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.29-4.56), postmenopausal status (OR, 3.15; 95% CI, 1.39-7.16), and negative smoking history (OR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.32-4.82). Furthermore, increase in breast cancer risk among women diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma was associated with genotypes (OR, 2.82; 95% CI, 1.38-5.76).

CONCLUSION

The polymorphism affects breast cancer susceptibility, especially in women with late age at first birth, high BMI, postmenopausal status, negative smoking history, and invasive ductal carcinoma. Our study adds to the evidence about the importance of polymorphism in breast cancer susceptibility.