Circulating High-Molecular-Weight (HMW) Adiponectin Level Is Related with Breast Cancer Risk Better than Total...

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Oncology
• Biomarkers

Background:

• Inconsistent findings link total adiponectin to breast cancer risk.
• The distinct roles of various adiponectin forms in breast cancer prediction remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the differential associations of total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin with breast cancer risk.
• To explore these associations across various subgroups, including menopausal status, family history, and BMI.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 1167 participants.
• Measurement of circulating total and HMW adiponectin levels.
• Subgroup analyses based on menopausal status, family history, and body mass index (BMI).

Main Results:

• Higher HMW adiponectin negatively correlated with breast cancer risk overall (P=0.024).
• This inverse association was observed in postmenopausal women, those without a family history, and with BMI ≥ 24.0.
• Total adiponectin showed a positive association with breast cancer risk in women with BMI ≤ 24.0 (P=0.028).
• Conversely, both total and HMW adiponectin were positively associated with risk in women with a family history of breast cancer.

Conclusions:

• Different circulating adiponectin forms exhibit distinct roles in breast cancer risk.
• Elevated HMW adiponectin is linked to reduced risk, particularly in specific subgroups.
• HMW adiponectin may act as a risk factor in women with a family history of breast cancer, warranting further investigation.