The association of DNA Repair with breast cancer risk in women. A comparative observational study

• Main Authors: Matta Jaime, Echenique Miguel, Negron Esperanza, Morales Luisa, Vargas Wanda, Gaetan Felipe Sánchez, Lizardi Eduardo Ramírez, Torres Aníbal, Rosado Jose Ortiz, Bolaños Guillermo, Cruz Juan González, Laboy Joaquín, Barnes Ricardo, Medina Santos Santiago, Romero Ángel, Martinez Rosendo, Dutil Julie, Suarez Erick, Alvarez-Garriga Carolina, Bayona Manuel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2012-10-01
• Series: BMC Cancer
• Subjects: Breast cancer; DNA repair capacity; Association; Risk; Biomarker
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/12/490

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Previous studies have found a link between a low DNA repair capacity (DRC) level and increased cancer risk. Our aim was to assess the statistical association of DRC level and breast cancer (BC) using a case–control epidemiological study in a Hispanic community.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a comparative observational study to assess the validity of DRC in detecting BC in 824 women throughout Puerto Rico. Over a 6-year period, we compared 285 women newly diagnosed with BC to 539 without BC. DRC levels were measured in lymphocytes by means of a host-cell reactivation assay. We assessed the sensitivity, specificity, and association using the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Multiple logistic regression-adjusted odds ratios were estimated with 95% confidence level to measure the strength of the association of DRC and BC after adjusting for all confounders simultaneously.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared to women without cancer, women with BC showed an average decrease of 60% in their DRC levels (<it>p</it> < 0.001). Validity of the association of DRC as a measure of BC risk showed a sensitivity of 83.2% and specificity of 77.6% (<it>p</it> < 0.0001).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results support the usefulness of DRC level as a measure of BC risk. Additional studies in other populations are needed to further verify its usefulness.</p>