Pre-eclampsia, autoimmune diseases and breast cancer etiology.
Previous hypotheses concerning the negative association between pre-eclampsia (or pregnancy-induced hypertension) and breast cancer risk have focused on hormone-related factors. A hypothesis is presented that certain non-specific cellular immune responses could be involved in this association and in the negative association between autoimmune diseases (i.e., systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis) and certain cancers. Future directions for epidemiological and laboratory research suggested by this hypothesis are discussed.
Polednak
A P
AP
Connecticut Tumor Registry, Connecticut Department of Health Services, Hartford 06106, USA.
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D008954:Models, Biological; D018448:Models, Immunological; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012307:Risk Factors