Nutritional Status, DNA Damage, and Tumor Pathology
Abstract
Genes involved in DNA damage surveillance and repair are implicated in breast cancer susceptibility and in breast tumor pathology. We are testing the hypothesis that the risk for more aggressive breast cancer is increased by nutritional deficiencies of folic acid and niacin. The study population consisted of 40 women (self-reported as African-American or European-American) previously diagnosed with breast cancer in South Carolina. The status of folic acid, measured as 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (MTHF), and niacin, measured as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), was determined in circulating erythrocytes. Also analyzed were the genotypes of two genes encoding enzymes that partition MTHF into two pathways, which contribute to genomic integrity. A highly sensitive assay for detection of MTHF was developed; MTHF levels varied by 12-fold among the patients. An association was observed between genotype of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and MTHF levels. This association was predicted by other investigations but not directly demonstrated. A novel association was observed between MTHFR genotype and ER status of the tumor. The data suggest that larger translational studies are warranted to validate the associations observed in this pilot investigation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA471508
Entities
People
- James R Hébert
- Mei Li
- Sondra H. Berger
- Swann Adams
- William Butler
Organizations
- University of South Carolina