Bio-Available Iron in Breast Cancer of Older Women

Abstract : The goal of this exploratory study is to determine whether bio-available iron (BAI) contributes, synergistically with estrogens, to breast cancer (BC), particularly in older women. We hypothesize that an accumulation of a high BAI level is one of the pre-neoplastic changes in post-menopausal women, and in the presence of estrogens, it is BAI that increases risk of BC. We will test our hypothesis using blood samples collected by the New York University Women's Health Study. BAI in sera of 30 subjects who were apparently healthy at the time of blood donation but diagnosed with BC 1/2-6 years later and matched controls (2 controls per case) will be examined. BAI will be determined using fluorescent calcein as an iron chemosensor. We will use the same subjects as in the previous study, which has shown a positive association between post-menopausal serum levels of estradiol and breast cancer. Unconditional logistic regression models will be used to determine whether iron and estradiol act in synergy. If our hypothesis is confirmed, then an early detection and perhaps prevention of BC will be possible, as well as mechanisms of BC can be proposed.