Abstract PO3-09-06: Role of Obesity-Related Biomarkers on Mortality Among Black Breast Cancer Survivors in the Women’s Circle of Health Followup Study
Authors: Shipra Gandhi, Chi-Chen Hong, Anthony George, Kristopher Attwood, Bo Quin, Nur Zeinomar, Yong Lin, Christine Ambrosone, Kitaw Demissie, Elisa Bandera
Journal: Cancer Research (2024)

Abstract Background: Central obesity and higher adiposity have been recently associated with higher all-cause and breast cancer-specific mortality in Black breast cancer survivors participating in the Women’s Circle of Health Followup Study. Adipose tissue is a dynamic organ producing adipocytokines, including leptin, adiponectin, adipsin, resistin, lipocalin-2/NGAL, plasminogen-activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and CXCL11, TNFα, and IL-6, which modulate inflammatory markers in obesity, including the release of proinflammatory C-reactive protein (CRP). These circulating biomarkers play important roles linking obesity with insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, chronic inflammation, and altered immunity, which may impact overall and breast cancer mortality. The goal of this analysis was to determine if circulating adipocytokines and obesity-related biomarkers of systemic inflammation are associated with breast cancer and overall survival in Black breast cancer survivors. Methods: Circulating biomarkers were assayed for 460 Black breast cancer survivors who provided a blood sample 2 years post-diagnosis in the Women’s Circle of Health Followup Study, a population-based cohort of Black breast cancer survivors in New Jersey enrolled within 12 months of diagnosis. Associations between biomarkers (by tertiles) and overall survival were assessed using multivariable Cox regression models. Breast cancer specific survival was assessed based on competing risk analyses using the Fine and Gray subdistribution hazard model. Multivariable models were adjusted for age, body mass index as a measure of overall adiposity, education, menopausal status, stage, grade, subtype, and chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and radiation treatments received. All tests were two-sided at Analyses were conducted at P=0.05. Results: In multivariable analyses, lipocalin-2, CXCL11, and CRP, biomarkers of adipose tissue inflammation closely related to insulin resistance, were associated with worse overall but not breast cancer specific survival. Compared to women in the lowest tertile of lipocalin-2, women in the highest tertile had a 3-fold increased risk of dying from any cause (T3 vs T1, HR=3.08, 95% CI: 1.29-7.39, p= 0.004) and a ~2-fold increased risk of dying from breast cancer, which was not statistically significant (HR= 1.84, 95% CI: 0.59-5.79, p=0.30). Similarly, women in the highest tertile of CXCL11 were at 2-fold increased risk of dying of any cause (HR: 2.10, 95% CI: 0.96-4.57, p=0.06) but no associations were observed with risk of dying from breast cancer (HR:1.31, 0.42-4.13, p=0.64). Circulating CRP, as a marker of systemic inflammation, was also associated with worse overall survival (T3 vs T1 HR: 2.51, 95% CI: 1.07-5.89, p=0.03), showing a borderline significant association with increased breast cancer specific survival (T3 vs T1 HR: 4.32, 95% CI: 0.87-21.38, p=0.07). No associations with overall or breast cancer specific mortality were observed for any of the other adipocytokines examined. Conclusion: In this population-based cohort study of Black breast cancer survivors, biomarkers associated with adipose tissue related inflammation and insulin resistance were associated with reduced overall survival. Relationships with breast cancer survival were not significant, possibly due to limited sample size. Citation Format: Shipra Gandhi, Chi-Chen Hong, Anthony George, Kristopher Attwood, Bo Quin, Nur Zeinomar, Yong Lin, Christine Ambrosone, Kitaw Demissie, Elisa Bandera. Role of Obesity-Related Biomarkers on Mortality Among Black Breast Cancer Survivors in the Women’s Circle of Health Followup Study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO3-09-06.