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. 2022 Jun 23;12(1):10631.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-13740-x.

Association of lipid profile biomarkers with breast cancer by molecular subtype: analysis of the MEND study

Anjali Gupta  1   2 , Veeral Saraiya  3 , April Deveaux  2 , Taofik Oyekunle  2 , Klarissa D Jackson  4 , Omolola Salako  5 , Adetola Daramola  5 , Allison Hall  6 , Olusegun Alatise  7 , Gabriel Ogun  8 , Adewale Adeniyi  9 , Omobolaji Ayandipo  8 , Thomas Olajide  5 , Olalekan Olasehinde  7 , Olukayode Arowolo  7 , Adewale Adisa  7 , Oludolapo Afuwape  8 , Aralola Olusanya  8 , Aderemi Adegoke  10 , Trygve O Tollefsbol  11 , Donna Arnett  12 , Michael J Muehlbauer  13 , Christopher B Newgard  13 ; H3 Africa Kidney Research Network; Tomi Akinyemiju  14   15   16
Collaborators, Affiliations

Association of lipid profile biomarkers with breast cancer by molecular subtype: analysis of the MEND study

Anjali Gupta et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

There is conflicting evidence on the role of lipid biomarkers in breast cancer (BC), and no study to our knowledge has examined this association among African women. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for the association of lipid biomarkers-total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides-with odds of BC overall and by subtype (Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2-enriched and triple-negative or TNBC) for 296 newly diagnosed BC cases and 116 healthy controls in Nigeria. Each unit standard deviation (SD) increase in triglycerides was associated with 39% increased odds of BC in fully adjusted models (aOR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.86). Among post-menopausal women, higher total cholesterol (aOR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.06, 2.57), LDL cholesterol (aOR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.04, 2.41), and triglycerides (aOR: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.21, 3.01) were associated with increased odds of BC. Additionally, each unit SD increase in LDL was associated with 64% increased odds of Luminal B BC (aOR 1.64; 95% CI: 1.06, 2.55). Clinically low HDL was associated with 2.7 times increased odds of TNBC (aOR 2.67; 95% CI: 1.10, 6.49). Among post-menopausal women, higher LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly associated with increased odds of Luminal B BC and HER2 BC, respectively. In conclusion, low HDL and high LDL are associated with increased odds of TN and Luminal B BC, respectively, among African women. Future prospective studies can definitively characterize this association and inform clinical approaches targeting HDL as a BC prevention strategy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
CONSORT diagram for MEND lipid profile analysis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Lipid biomarker quartiles by case/control status and age.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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