Depression and serotonin transporter (5-HTTLPR) polymorphism in breast cancer patients.
BACKGROUND
Mixed evidence in the general population and medically ill patients has suggested that homozygous carriers of the short allele (s/s) of the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) may increase the risk of depression in comparison with carriers of the long allele (l/l) or s/l. Given the lack of data in oncology, we examined the relationship of depression with the 5-HTTLPR and psychosocial variables among breast cancer patients.


METHODS
A sample of 145 breast cancer patients were studied as regards to depression, psychosocial-related variables (coping, Type D-personality, life events, and social support), and the 5-HTTLPR, which was genotyped by using a standard protocol with DNA extracted from the blood.


RESULTS
No difference was found between s/s, s/l and l/l patients on depression and any other psychosocial variable. No gene-by environment (GxE) interactions were observed between the 5-HTTLPR and recent life events.


CONCLUSIONS
The study did not provide support of a possible association between 5-HTTLPR polymorphism, alone or in conjunction with life events, and depression in newly diagnosed breast cancer. Further follow-up studies are however necessary to confirm these data.
Grassi
Luigi
L
Section of Psychiatry, Department of Behavior and Communication, University of Ferrara and Unit of Clinical Psychiatry Department of Mental Health and Drug Abuse, Health Agency, NHS, Ferrara, Italy. luigi.grassi@unife.it
Rossi
Elena
E
Cobianchi
Marina
M
Aguiari
Letizia
L
Capozzo
Marianna
M
Martinis
Elisabetta
E
Nanni
Maria Giulia
MG
Lelli
Giorgio
G
Schillani
Giulia
G
Biancosino
Bruno
B
Giraldi
Tullio
T
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010641:Phenotype; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011594:Psychometrics; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012944:Social Support
C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins