Immune Surveillance, Cytokines, and Breast Cancer Risk: Genetic and Psychological Influences in African American Women
Abstract
Breast cancer cells are known to bear determinants that would allow tumor-specific immune responses. However, initiation and amplification of such immune responses are critically dependent upon the balance in TH1 and TH2 cytokine profiles. This molecular epidemiological study evaluates the impact that variability in cytokine profiles (inferred from functional polymorphisms in cytokine genes) may have on breast cancer risk among urban African American women. In the first phase of the study, DNA collected and approved for additional study as part of a previously funded case-control investigation (n=1600) will be assessed for cytokine polymorphisms. Because cytokine profiles are also known to be affected by environmental factors, particularly levels of stress, this study also evaluates the relative contribution of genotype and stress influences using data collected for that purpose from a sub-sample of healthy controls (n=400) recruited from the graduates of the larger study. Results will allow evaluation of the possibility that deficits in cytokine responses due to genetic or environmental factors may contribute to breast cancer risk. Based on these findings, women at risk for breast cancer because of polymorphisms in genes important for effective immune surveillance could be targeted for innovative prevention strategies, including stress reduction and immune modulators.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA434838
Entities
People
- Dana H Bovbjerg
Organizations
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai