Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and breast cancer risk by pathological subtype (MCC-Spain)

Epidemiologic evidence on the association between vitamin D and breast cancer is still inconclusive. This study analyzes the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and breast cancer risk by pathologic subtype, stage at diagnosis and specific breast cancer risk factors. We conducted a population-based multicase-control study where 546 histologically-confirmed breast cancer cases and 558 population controls, frequently matched by geographic area, age and body mass index, were recruited in 12 Spanish provinces (MCC-Spain). Information was collected by a questionnaire and plasma 25(OH)D was measured by solid-phase extraction on-line coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-LC-MS/MS). Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using logistic and multinomial mixed regression models. We found a clear protective effect between 25(OH)D levels and breast cancer risk, with a significant dose-response trend (OR per 10 nmol/L = 0.88; 95%CI = 0.82-0.94). While no differences were observed between pre and postmenopausal women, stage at diagnosis, or across strata of the main breast cancer risk factors, the protection was more pronounced for triple negative tumors (OR per 10 nmol/L = 0.64; p-heterogeneity = 0.038). Similar results were observed when only cases sampled in the first month after diagnosis were considered. The protective effect of vitamin D on breast cancer risk may be subtype specific, being stronger for more aggressive tumors, which provides a new approach to prevent this disease.