Risks and protective factors for triple negative breast cancer with a focus on micronutrients and infections

Abstract

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer (BC) with a poor prognosis. Second, patients cannot benefit from targeted therapy, except for those with BRCA1/2 mutations, for whom poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition therapy using olaparib has recently been approved. As global priorities continue to be epidemiological analysis of BC risk factors and early diagnosis, this review focuses on the risks and protective factors associated with TNBC. A PubMed keyword search for new knowledge on the risks and protective factors for TNBC was carried out. We also found statistical information from current online databases concerning the estimated incidence, prevalence and mortality worldwide of this cancer. Traditional risk factors for BC and TNBC are those related to reproduction such as the age of menarche, age of first birth, parity, breastfeeding and age at menopause. Attention needs to be paid to familial BC, weight control, alcohol consumption and regular physical activity. Epidemiological studies on TNBC provide evidence for protective factors such as regular consumption of soya, seafood, green tea, folic acid and vitamin D. Potential risk factors may include night work and viral infectious agents like human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Droplet digital methylation-specific PCR (ddMSP) is a possible new screening method for detection of BC including TNBC. Further research is necessary to validate these new factors.

Green Tea Consumption and Risk of Breast Cancer and Recurrence—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

“…According to the present results, the highest protective effect of green tea was found in BC recurrence prevention. This is in line with previous studies, where the authors demonstrated an anti-neoplastic effect of green tea through a reduction in viability and proliferation of BC cells [77,78,79]. In particular, a previous review on epigenetic modification by epigallocatechin on BC cell lines revealed a significantly greater inhibition of BC cell growth.…”

The co-presence of high-risk human papillomaviruses and Epstein-Barr virus is linked with tumor grade and stage in Qatari women with breast cancer

“… 77 On the other hand, it is important to highlight that the presence of EBV alone is not shown to be associated with tumor stage, histological grade, molecular subtypes or nodal status; as previously reported by other investigations. 78 However, HPVs and EBV have been considered as risk factors for TNBC; 79 we found a significant association between HPVs and EBV co-presence and TNBC as well as luminal A subtypes. Moreover, studies showed co-presence of HPVs and EBV to be correlated with advanced breast Nottingham histological grade 65 and aggressive phenotype.…”

Differential Regulation of Lacto-/Neolacto- Glycosphingolipid Biosynthesis Pathway Reveals Transcription Factors as Potential Candidates in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

“…For instance, B3GNT5 is elevated in acute myelocytic leukemia, ovarian cancer and glioblastoma compared to healthy controls [44][45][46]. In TNBC, ST3GAL4 and ST3GAL6 were implicated in hypoxia and nutrient deprivation-induced glycosylation change and aggressiveness in TNBC [47][48][49]. UGT8 was previously reported as a potential oncogene in basal-like BC, where inhibition of UGT8 expression suppresses basal-like BC via regulating the sulfatide-αVβ5 axis [50].…”