Serum Phospholipids Fatty Acids and Breast Cancer Risk by Pathological Subtype

Abstract

This study evaluates whether serum phospholipids fatty acids (PL-FAs) and markers of their endogenous metabolism are associated with breast cancer (BC) subtypes. EpiGEICAM is a Spanish multicenter matched case-control study. A lifestyle and food frequency questionnaire was completed by 1017 BC cases and healthy women pairs. Serum PL-FA percentages were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Conditional and multinomial logistic regression models were used to quantify the association of PL-FA tertiles with BC risk, overall and by pathological subtype (luminal, HER2+ and triple negative). Stratified analyses by body mass index and menopausal status were also performed. Serum PL-FAs were measured in 795 (78%) pairs. Women with high serum levels of stearic acid (odds ratio (OR)T3vsT1 = 0.44; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.30–0.66), linoleic acid (ORT3vsT1 = 0.66; 95% CI = 0.49–0.90) and arachidonic to dihomo-γ-linolenic acid ratio (OR T3vsT1 = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.48–0.84) presented lower BC risk. Participants with high concentrations of palmitoleic acid (ORT3vsT1 = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.20–2.26), trans-ruminant palmitelaidic acid (ORT3vsT1 = 1.51; 95% CI = 1.12–2.02), trans-industrial elaidic acid (ORT3vsT1 = 1.52; 95% CI = 1.14–2.03), and high oleic to stearic acid ratio (ORT3vsT1 = 2.04; 95% CI = 1.45–2.87) showed higher risk. These associations were similar in all BC pathological subtypes. Our results emphasize the importance of analyzing fatty acids individually, as well as the desaturase activity indices.

Erythrocyte membrane n-3 PUFA are inversely associated with breast cancer risk among Chinese women

“…Genes and pathways differentially express on ER− and ERþ cells in response to EPA and arachidonic acid by microarrays (44) . However, no significant heterogeneity existed in the ER/PR status between erythrocyte membrane n-3 PUFA and odds of breast cancer, a finding that was consistent with other study findings concerning the relationships of plasma (25) , serum (30) and erythrocyte membrane (14) n-3 PUFA with breast cancer risk. Given the small number of ER− and PR− patients in the available studies, suggestive results must be confirmed with larger case numbers.…”

“…Most previous studies used plasma (25)(26)(27)(28)(29) or serum (30)(31)(32) n-3 PUFA as biomarkers to evaluate the association of n-3 PUFA with breast cancer risk. Although one study from plasma (28) supports our findings, most studies using plasma (25)(26)(27)29) or serum (30)(31)(32) n-3 PUFA as biomarkers reported null findings on the relationship between n-3 PUFA and breast cancer risk.…”

“…Most previous studies used plasma (25)(26)(27)(28)(29) or serum (30)(31)(32) n-3 PUFA as biomarkers to evaluate the association of n-3 PUFA with breast cancer risk. Although one study from plasma (28) supports our findings, most studies using plasma (25)(26)(27)29) or serum (30)(31)(32) n-3 PUFA as biomarkers reported null findings on the relationship between n-3 PUFA and breast cancer risk. Compared with the plasma or serum fatty acid, the erythrocyte membrane fatty acid profile shows a longer time for fatty acid intake, approximately 4 months, and is not susceptible to the individual postprandial status (8,33) .…”

Lipid Metabolism and Cancer

“…It was found that the synthesis of phospholipids was up-regulated, which could be conducive to the rapid proliferation and differentiation of cancer cells to ensure the normal physiological activities of newborn cancer cells [ 54 ]. Alterations in phospholipid metabolism are one of the key bases for early diagnosis of gastric cancer, by assessing serum phospholipid levels in patients with gastric cancer as a potential biomarker for early diagnosis of gastric cancer [ 55 ]. The one most closely associated with cancer is a biprotein/lipid phosphatase (PTEN).…”

Lipophilic and Hydrophilic Compounds from Arthrospira platensis and Its Effects on Tissue and Blood Cells—An Overview

“…For instance, in a Spanish multicenter matched case-control study (EpiGEICAM), the serum levels of phospholipids fatty acids were associated with breast-cancer subtypes. Their data showed that women with high levels of linoleic acid and arachidonic to dihomo-γ-linolenic acid ratio had lower risks for breast cancer [ 159 ]. A meta-analysis by Zhou et al concerning the relationship between serum and dietary linoleic acid and breast-cancer risk came to the same conclusion [ 160 ].…”