Abstract:
Abstract: Breast cancer is the most prevalent neoplasm and the second leading cause of death among females in Kenya.
Estrogen and its metabolites are known risk factors for breast cancer. Polymorphisms in these genes and breast cancer
susceptibility are unique among different populations. This study aimed to determine the probable associations between
estrogen-metabolizing gene variations and other risk factors for breast cancer risk in Kenyan women. Buffy coat samples
were obtained from patients diagnosed with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, benign breast disease, and healthy
volunteers. Genotyping of target polymorphisms was conducted using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction frag
ment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. The rs4646903 variant genotype CC was associated with breast cancer in the
case-control model (P=0.001); the heterozygous genotype TC (P=0.01) and the luminal B molecular subtype (P=0.02)
showed increased odds of late-stage breast cancer. The rs1048943 variant genotype GG was associated with breast cancer in
the case-benign model (P=0.04), whereas CG was associated with breast cancer in the case-control model (P=0.02). These
findings imply that the rs4646903 and rs1048943 variant genotypes are involved in breast cancer risk in Kenyan women.
Hence, they may be explored further as potential markers for the disease.
Keywords: breast cancer; gene polymorphisms; estrogen metabolizing gene; polymerase chain reaction-restriction frag
ment length polymorphism; genotype
