DNA-repair genetic polymorphisms and risk of breast cancer in Cyprus

Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2009 Jun;115(3):623-7. doi: 10.1007/s10549-008-0084-4. Epub 2008 Jun 16.

Abstract

The DNA repair pathway is known to play a role in the etiology of breast cancer. A number of studies have demonstrated that common germline variants in genes involved in the DNA repair pathway influence breast cancer risk. To assess whether alterations in DNA repair genes contribute to breast cancer, we genotyped 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 1,109 Cypriot women with breast cancer and 1,177 age-matched healthy controls. We found significant associations with breast cancer for SNPs in the BRCA2 and MRE11A genes. Carriers of the BRCA2 rs1799944 variant (991 Asp) were found to have an increased risk of breast cancer (OR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.08-1.83, P = 0.01) with P (trend) = 0.0076. Homozygous carriers of the MRE11A rs601341 A allele had an increased risk of breast cancer (OR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.08-1.71, P = 0.009) with P (trend) = 0.0087. This study suggests that genetic variants in BRCA2 and MRE11A are associated with breast cancer risk.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • BRCA1 Protein / genetics
  • BRCA2 Protein / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cyprus / epidemiology
  • DNA Repair Enzymes / genetics*
  • DNA Repair*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Female
  • Homozygote
  • Humans
  • MRE11 Homologue Protein
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics*
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • BRCA1 Protein
  • BRCA2 Protein
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • MRE11 protein, human
  • MRE11 Homologue Protein
  • DNA Repair Enzymes