Investigation of relationships between A-FABP, FASN, inflammation and adipocytokines in patients with breast cancer

Obesity and overweight is the independent risk factor in the development of mostcommon type of malign breast cancer in women and poor prognosis. Obesity is especiallyrelated with breast cancer in postmenopausal women. The aim of this study is to explain therelationship beween the breast cancer and obesity by comparing the adipocyte fatty acidbinding protein (A-FABP) and fatty acid synthase (FASN) expressions in the breast tissue;serum A-FABP, leptin, adiponectin, insulin and TNF-?; antropometric measurements, bodycomposition, and clinicohistopathological data of women with breast cancer and benignlesions. In serum A-FABP, leptin, adiponectin, insulin and TNF-? analyses are determinedwith ELISA, and tissue A-FABP and FASN expressions are determined withimmunohistochemical staining. Body composition measurements is carried out throughbioelectrical impedance analysis.According to the result of measurements and evaluations in patient groups with benign(n=18) and malign (n=47) diagnosis, we carried out our comparisons classifying the patientgroups considering their obesity and menopausal status. In breast cancer patients the ratio ofwomen having menopause at age greater than 50 was higher (p=0,004). High levels of waistto hip ratio (p=0,004); glucose (p=0,008), adiponectin (p=0,028) and FASN expression(p=0,032) is observed in malign patient group. A-FABP expression was higher in those overage of 50 (p=0,016) and postmenopausal women (p=0,020). In obese patients while leptin(p=<0,0001), leptin/adiponectin L/A ratio (p=0,001), TG (p=0,032) and TNF-? (p=0,028)were high, HDL-C (p=0,002) were determined as low. FASN expression was positivelycorrelated with leptin (r=0,263, p=0,034) and (L/A) ratio (r=0,245, p=0,049). Additionally,the presence of increased lymphovascular invasion is determined in obese group (p=0,038).No correlation is found between biochemical parameters and A-FABP expressions.In conclusion, we think that high level of A-FABP expression is related with ageingand menopause. Breast cancer is observed especially in women having menopause at agegreater than 50, instead of body mass index waist to hip ratio can be used as a predictor ofmalignity and finally FASN expression is related with breast cancer.Key words: Breast cancer, obesity, A-FABP, FASN, body composition