title: C-reactive protein and risk of breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: Associations between elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and breast cancer risk have been reported for many years, but the results remain controversial. To address this issue, a meta-analysis was therefore conducted. Eligible studies were identified by searching the PubMed and EMBASE up to December 2014. Study-specific risk estimates were combined using a random-effects model. Altogether fifteen cohort and case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis, involving a total of 5,286 breast cancer cases. The combined OR per natural log unit change in CRP for breast cancer was 1.16 (95% CI: 1.06-1.27). There was moderate heterogeneity among studies (I(2) = 45.9%). The association was stronger in Asian population (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.25-1.96) compared to European (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.02-1.23) and American (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01-1.16). Prediagnostic high-sensitivity CRP concentrations (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.10-1.35) was superior to common CRP (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01-1.15) in predicting breast cancer risk. The meta-analysis indicated that elevated CRP levels was associated with increased risk of breast cancer. Further research effort should be performed to identify whether CRP, as a marker of inflammation, plays a direct role in breast carcinogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Epidemiology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Henan Office for Cancer Control and Research, Zhengzhou, China.
authors.forename: Lanwei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Epidemiology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Henan Office for Cancer Control and Research, Zhengzhou, China.
authors.forename: Shuzheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Epidemiology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Henan Office for Cancer Control and Research, Zhengzhou, China.
authors.forename: Shaokai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Epidemiology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Henan Office for Cancer Control and Research, Zhengzhou, China.
authors.forename: Qiong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Epidemiology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Henan Office for Cancer Control and Research, Zhengzhou, China.
authors.forename: Meng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Epidemiology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Henan Office for Cancer Control and Research, Zhengzhou, China.
authors.forename: Peiliang
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Quan
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Epidemiology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Henan Office for Cancer Control and Research, Zhengzhou, China.
authors.forename: Jianbang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Epidemiology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Henan Office for Cancer Control and Research, Zhengzhou, China.
authors.forename: Xibin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D044466:Asian People; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D044465:White People
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein