Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein as a novel prognostic factor  in obese breast cancer patients.
Several adipocytokines, such as leptin or adiponectin, are associated with obesity and the risk for breast cancer. Adiopcyte fatty acid binding-protein(A-FABP) is another protein found in adipose tissue;therefore, we investigated the association of A-FABP with the occurrence and prognosis of breast cancer. In our study,200 women attending the University of Ulm for breast surgery between the years 2005 and 2007 were included;159 had histologically confirmed breast cancer; 41 had histologically confirmed benign lesions. Serum levels ofA-FABP, leptin, and adiponectin were measured, and their relationship to body-mass-index (BMI), breast cancer, and tumor characteristics were analyzed; logistic regression model was adjusted to age, BMI, menopausal status, use of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), and family history of breast cancer. Serum A-FABP levels were found to be significantly higher in obese (BMI C 25) than in non-obese women (BMI B 24.9), 41.16 ng/ml and 24.95 ng/ml,respectively (P\0.0001). Independent of obesity, the serum A-FABP levels were significantly higher in breast cancer patients (34.65 ng/ml) than in healthy controls(24.47 ng/ml), P\0.0001; the odds ratio (1.038, P\0.05,95% confidence interval 1.001-1.72) showed a significant association of A-FABP with breast cancer risk. Serum leptin levels showed a strong correlation with BMI(rs = 0.78) and were significantly higher in breast cancer patients (20.87 ng/ml) than in controls (14.90 ng/ml),P\0.05. In contrast, adiponectin showed no significant association with breast cancer. Concerning tumor characteristics,A-FABP was positively connected with tumor size (T C 2 cm, P\0.05) and nodal-status (P\0.05).Our study reveals that high A-FABP serum levels are associated with obesity, breast cancer risk, and adverse tumor characteristics.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ulm, Prittwitzstr. 43, 89075 Ulm, Germany. ka_hancke@yahoo.de
K
K
Hancke
D
D
Grubeck
N
N
Hauser
R
R
Kreienberg
J M
JM
Weiss
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D017698:Postmenopause; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D017697:Premenopause; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015854:Up-Regulation
C499918:ADIPOQ protein, human; D052242:Adiponectin; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C493410:FABP4 protein, human; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins; D020738:Leptin