Significant Association of DNA Repair Gene Ku80 Genotypes with Breast Cancer Susceptibility in Taiwan

Aim: To evaluate the association between the genotypes of the heterodimeric DNA-binding component, Ku80 gene and the breast cancer risk in Taiwan. Patients and Methods: In this hospital-based case-control study, the association of Ku80 G-1401T rs828907, Ku80 C-319T rs11685387 and Ku80 intron,19 rs9288518 polymorphisms with breast cancer risk in a Taiwanese population was investigated. In total, 1272 patients with breast cancer and the same number of age- and gender-matched healthy controls were genotyped. Results: A significantly different distribution was found in the frequency of the Ku80 G-1401T genotype, but not the Ku80 C-319T or intron 19 genotypes, between the breast cancer and control groups. The T allele Ku80 G-1401T conferred a significant (p=0.0069) increased risk of breast cancer. Gene interactions with smoking, but not with breastfeeding, were significant for the Ku80 G-1401T polymorphism. The Ku80 G-1401T GT and TT genotypes in association with smoking conferred an increased risk of 3.162 (95% confidence interval=2.275-4.393) for breast cancer. Conclusion: The T allele of Ku80 G-1401T may be associated with the development of breast cancer and may be a novel useful marker for breast cancer detection and prediction.