Obesity-related markers and breast cancer in CPS-II Nutrition Cohort

Low circulating levels of adiponectin and high levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), C-reactive protein (CRP), and C-peptide have been shown to be related to postmenopausal breast cancer risk, and to partially mediate the obesity-postmenopausal breast cancer association; however, data from prospective studies, especially those limited to non-users of postmenopausal hormones, are sparse. To further evaluate these associations, we measured these markers in a case-control study nested in the Cancer Prevention Study-II (CPS-II) Nutrition Cohort. Plasma samples from 302 postmenopausal breast cancer cases and matched controls were analyzed. None of the women were taking postmenopausal hormones at blood draw. Multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using conditional logistic regression models. Low levels of total adiponectin and high levels of total IGF-1 and CRP were associated with increased breast cancer risk, but associations were not statistically significant. The association with C-peptide was statistically significant (T3 vs. T1: OR=1.63, 95% CI 1.08-2.45; p-value for linear trend=0.001), but was slightly attenuated after further adjustment for BMI (T3 vs. T1: OR=1.51, 95% CI 0.99-2.31; p-value for linear trend=0.004). The association between BMI and breast cancer risk was attenuated toward the null after controlling for C-peptide (from OR=1.43 to OR=1.25 for BMI >= 30 kg/m(2) compared to <25 kg/m(2)). The elevated risk of postmenopausal breast cancer associated with higher circulating levels of C-peptide is consistent with a role of hyperinsulinemia in breast carcinogenesis, and might account for some of the higher risk associated with obesity.