Umbilical Cord Blood Hormones and Breast Cancer Risk
Author Information
Author(s): Todd M Savarese, William C Strohsnitter, Hoi Pang Low, Qin Liu, Inkyung Baik, William Okulicz, David P Chelmow, Pagona Lagiou, Peter J Quesenberry, Kenneth L Noller, Chung-Cheng Hsieh
Primary Institution: University of Massachusetts Medical School
Hypothesis
Prenatal levels of mitogens may influence the lifetime breast cancer risk by driving stem cell proliferation.
Conclusion
The study supports the idea that in utero mitogens may drive the expansion of stem cell populations, which could affect breast cancer risk.
Supporting Evidence
- Cord blood plasma levels of IGF-1 were strongly correlated with all hematopoietic stem and progenitor concentrations.
- One standard-deviation increase in IGF-1 was associated with a 15-19% increase in stem/progenitor concentrations.
- Estriol and IGFBP-3 levels were positively correlated with some stem cell populations.
- Sex hormone-binding globulin levels were negatively correlated with stem/progenitor pools.
Takeaway
The study found that hormones in umbilical cord blood can affect the number of stem cells, which might influence breast cancer risk later in life.
Methodology
Analyzed cord blood samples from 289 deliveries and correlated hormone levels with stem cell concentrations using multiple regression analysis.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in participant selection and self-reported data.
Limitations
The study's findings may not be generalizable to all racial and ethnic groups due to varying sample sizes.
Participant Demographics
Participants included pregnant women aged 18 and older from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.02
Confidence Interval
95% confidence intervals calculated from multiple regression analysis.
Statistical Significance
p<0.02
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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