Obesity-related proteins score as a potential marker of breast cancer risk

Sci Rep. 2021 Apr 15;11(1):8230. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-87583-3.

Abstract

There is strong evidence to suggest that obesity-related proteins play a key role in pathways that are related to breast cancer. In this study, we aimed to establish a robust obesity-related protein score (ORPS) that could be used to assess breast cancer risk. Based on evidence from high-quality systematic reviews and population studies, we selected nine such proteins that are stable in vitro, and measured their circulating concentrations by ELISA in a case-control study conducted in Chengdu, Sichuan, China, with 279 breast cancer cases and 260 healthy controls. Two obesity-related protein scores (ORPS) were calculated using a three-step method, with linear-weighted summation, and the one with a larger area under the curve was chosen for further evaluation. As a result, ORPS (PS5pre or PS4post) was positively correlated with breast cancer risk (premenopausal: OR≤63 VS >63 3.696, 95% CI 2.025-6.747; postmenopausal: OR≤38 VS >38 7.100, 95% CI 3.134-16.084), and represented a better risk predictor among obese women compared to non-obese in pre- and postmenopausal women. Among different molecular subtypes, ORPS was positively correlated with Luminal breast cancer, with additionally positive association with triple-negative breast cancer in premenopausal women. The ORPS might be a potential marker of breast cancer risk among Chinese women.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Biomarkers / blood*
  • Breast Neoplasms / blood
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Breast Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Breast Neoplasms / etiology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • China / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / blood*
  • Obesity / diagnosis
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Postmenopause / blood
  • Premenopause / blood
  • Research Design
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Biomarkers