Chaotic particle swarm optimization for detecting SNP-SNP interactions for CXCL12-related genes in breast cancer prevention

Genome-wide association studies have revealed that many single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with breast cancer, and yet the potential SNP-SNP interactions have not been well addressed to date. This study aims to develop a methodology for the selection of SNP-genotype combinations with a maximum difference between case and control groups. We propose a new chaotic particle swarm optimization (CPSO) algorithm that identifies the best SNP combinations for breast cancer association studies containing seven SNPs. Five scoring functions, that is, the percentage correct, sensitivity/specificity, positive predictive value/negative predictive value, risk ratio, and odds ratio, are provided for evaluating SNP interactions in different SNP combinations. The CPSO algorithm identified the best SNP combinations associated with breast cancer protection. Some SNP interactions in specific SNPs and their corresponding genotypes were revealed. These SNP combinations showed a significant association with breast cancer protection (P<0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of the respective best SNP combinations were all higher than 90%. In contrast to the corresponding non-SNP-SNP interaction combinations, the estimated odds ratio and risk ratio of the SNP-SNP interaction in SNP combinations for breast cancer were less than 100%. This suggests that CPSO can successfully identify the best SNP combinations for breast cancer protection. In conclusion, we focus on developing a methodology for the selection of SNP-genotype combinations with a maximum difference between case and control groups. The CPSO method can effectively identify SNP-SNP interactions in complex biological relationships underlying the progression of breast cancer. European Journal of Cancer Prevention 21:336-342 (C) 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.