Purpose Optimal early detection and prevention for breast cancer depend on accurate identification of women at increased risk. We present a risk prediction model that incorporates histologic features of biopsy tissues from women with benign breast disease (BBD) and compare its performance to the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (BCRAT). Methods We estimated the age-specific incidence of breast cancer and death from the Mayo BBD cohort and then combined these estimates with a relative risk model derived from 377 patient cases with breast cancer and 734 matched controls sampled from the Mayo BBD cohort to develop the BBD–to–breast cancer (BBD-BC) risk assessment tool. We validated the model using an independent set of 378 patient cases with breast cancer and 728 matched controls from the Mayo BBD cohort and compared the risk predictions from our model with those from the BCRAT. Results The BBD-BC model predicts the probability of breast cancer in women with BBD using tissue-based and other risk factors. The concordance statistic from the BBD-BC model was 0.665 in the model development series and 0.629 in the validation series; these values were higher than those from the BCRAT (0.567 and 0.472, respectively). The BCRAT significantly underpredicted breast cancer risk after benign biopsy (P = .004), whereas the BBD-BC predictions were appropriately calibrated to observed cancers (P = .247). Conclusion We developed a model using both demographic and histologic features to predict breast cancer risk in women with BBD. Our model more accurately classifies a woman's breast cancer risk after a benign biopsy than the BCRAT.
Inherited Mutations in 17 Breast Cancer Susceptibility Genes Among a Large Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cohort Unselected for Family History of Breast Cancer
Purpose Recent advances in DNA sequencing have led to the development of breast cancer susceptibility gene panels for germline genetic testing of patients. We assessed the frequency of mutations in 17 predisposition genes, including BRCA1 and BRCA2, in a large cohort of patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) unselected for family history of breast or ovarian cancer to determine the utility of germline genetic testing for those with TNBC. Patients and Methods Patients with TNBC (N = 1,824) unselected for family history of breast or ovarian cancer were recruited through 12 studies, and germline DNA was sequenced to identify mutations. Results Deleterious mutations were identified in 14.6% of all patients. Of these, 11.2% had mutations in the BRCA1 (8.5%) and BRCA2 (2.7%) genes. Deleterious mutations in 15 other predisposition genes were detected in 3.7% of patients, with the majority observed in genes involved in homologous recombination, including PALB2 (1.2%) and BARD1, RAD51D, RAD51C, and BRIP1 (0.3% to 0.5%). Patients with TNBC with mutations were diagnosed at an earlier age (P < .001) and had higher-grade tumors (P = .01) than those without mutations. Conclusion Deleterious mutations in predisposition genes are present at high frequency in patients with TNBC unselected for family history of cancer. Mutation prevalence estimates suggest that patients with TNBC, regardless of age at diagnosis or family history of cancer, should be considered for germline genetic testing of BRCA1 and BRCA2. Although mutations in other predisposition genes are observed among patients with TNBC, better cancer risk estimates are needed before these mutations are used for clinical risk assessment in relatives.
Investigation of gene‐environment interactions between 47 newly identified breast cancer susceptibility loci and environmental risk factors
A large genotyping project within the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC) recently identified 41 associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and overall breast cancer (BC) risk. We investigated whether the effects of these 41 SNPs, as well as six SNPs associated with estrogen receptor (ER) negative BC risk are modified by 13 environmental risk factors for BC. Data from 22 studies participating in BCAC were pooled, comprising up to 26,633 cases and 30,119 controls. Interactions between SNPs and environmental factors were evaluated using an empirical Bayes‐type shrinkage estimator. Six SNPs showed interactions with associated p ‐values ( p int ) <1.1 × 10 −3 . None of the observed interactions was significant after accounting for multiple testing. The Bayesian False Discovery Probability was used to rank the findings, which indicated three interactions as being noteworthy at 1% prior probability of interaction. SNP rs6828523 was associated with increased ER‐negative BC risk in women ≥170 cm (OR = 1.22, p = 0.017), but inversely associated with ER‐negative BC risk in women <160 cm (OR = 0.83, p = 0.039, p int = 1.9 × 10 −4 ). The inverse association between rs4808801 and overall BC risk was stronger for women who had had four or more pregnancies (OR = 0.85, p = 2.0 × 10 −4 ), and absent in women who had had just one (OR = 0.96, p = 0.19, p int = 6.1 × 10 −4 ). SNP rs11242675 was inversely associated with overall BC risk in never/former smokers (OR = 0.93, p = 2.8 × 10 −5 ), but no association was observed in current smokers (OR = 1.07, p = 0.14, p int = 3.4 × 10 −4 ). In conclusion, recently identified BC susceptibility loci are not strongly modified by established risk factors and the observed potential interactions require confirmation in independent studies.
Identification and characterization of novel associations in the CASP8/ALS2CR12 region on chromosome 2 with breast cancer risk
Abstract 2287: Incidence of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis in Olmsted county, 2000-2010: impact of the 2008 International Workshop on CLL Guidelines.
Abstract Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL) is the most common adult leukemia in the United States. Prior studies in Olmsted County, Minnesota, showed a CLL age and sex adjusted incidence rate of 6.6 per 100,000 during 1985-89. Subsequently, the definition of CLL is now based on the 2008 International Workshop on CLL (IWCLL) Guidelines. Individuals having a CLL immunophenotype by flow cytometry are classified as CLL if the absolute B-cell count (ABC) is >5 x 109/L or classified as monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL) if ABC is <5 x 109/L. To assess the impact of these changes on the incidence of CLL and clinically discovered MBL, we conducted an incidence study in Olmsted County for the years 2000-2010. Methods Using diagnostic indexes available through the Rochester Epidemiology Project and the Mayo CLL database, we identified all CLL and clinically identified MBL cases from 2000-2010. Incidence rates and demographics were compared between the older National Cancer Institute-Working Groups 1996 guidelines (NCI-WG 96) defined as absolute lymphocyte count (ALC)> 5 x 109/L and the IWCLL 2008 guidelines defined as ABC > 5 x 109/L. Incidence rates were age and sex adjusted using the 2010 US white population. Time to treatment (TTT) survival analyses was from time of diagnosis to date of first treatment or last follow-up and Cox regression analysis was used. Results Using the NCI-WG 96 classification, there were 8 MBL cases and 115 CLLs in whom 61% were Rai stage 0, 34% were Rai stage 1-2, and 5% were Rai stage 3-4. Using the IWCLL 2008 classification, there were 44 MBL cases and 79 CLLs in whom 43% Rai stage 0, 49% were Rai stage 1-2 and 8% Rai stage 3-4. Median ALC at diagnosis was 8.1 x 109/L for CLL and 5.9 x 109/L for MBL. Median ABC count at diagnosis was 7.1 x 109/L for CLL and 2.8 x 109/L for MBL. The age and sex adjusted incidence rate (per 100,000) for CLL for 2000-2010 was 10.0 using NCI-WG 96 and 6.8 using IWCLL 2008. Rates for MBL were 0.66 using NCI-WG 96 and 3.5 using IWCLL 2008. The median TTT for CLL was 9.2 years using NCI-WG 96 and 6.5 years by IWCLL 2008. Discussion This study demonstrates that reclassification of CLL using the IWCLL 2008 guidelines decreases CLL incidence relative to the NCI-WG 96 criteria. For the first time, this population based study also establishes an incidence rate for clinically identified MBL. Approximately 50% of previously labeled Rai 0 CLL are now reclassified as MBL. Re-classification increases the percent of Rai stage 1-2 and decreases the percent of Rai 0 cases at diagnosis. Reclassification also substantially shortens the median TTT for newly diagnosed CLL cases classified by the 2008 criteria relative to the NCI-WG 96 criteria. In summary, the IWCLL 2008 reclassification has significant implications for incidence studies, staging, and prognosis of CLL and MBL. Citation Format: Aaron D. Norman, Timothy G. Call, Curtis A. Hanson, Neil E. Kay, Clive S. Zent, Wei Ding, James R. Cerhan, Sara J. Achenbach, Kari G. Rabe, Celine M. Vachon, Emily J. Hallberg, Tait D. Shanafelt, Susan L. Slager. Incidence of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis in Olmsted county, 2000-2010: impact of the 2008 International Workshop on CLL Guidelines. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2287. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2287
Abstract 155: Density of breast lobules in benign breast tissue and association with future breast cancer risk.
Abstract Background: Women with benign breast disease (BBD) have increased breast cancer risk, and histologic features of the lesion stratify individual risk. We hypothesized that the concentration and type of terminal duct lobular units in BBD tissue is associated with future breast cancer risk. Methods: A nested case-control series of 770 breast cancer cases and 1273 age- and year of biopsy-matched controls was identified within a cohort of 13,647 women with BBD from 1967-2001 (median follow-up 15.3 years). One representative H&E slide from each biopsy was reviewed by a single pathologist, who recorded total # of lobules present, and # of fibrocystic lobules (total and # with epithelial proliferation). Samples were also evaluated for lobular involution and primary BBD histology. Lobule density (LD) was calculated as # of lobules/cm2 in each tissue section. Breast cancer associations with LD's (total, fibrocystic, proliferative) were examined with conditional logistic regression. Odds ratios are reported per 1 SD increase in LD. Results: Each LD measure was significantly associated with involution and primary BBD histology (p<0.0001 for each). Fibrocystic (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.06-1.28) and proliferative (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.16-1.61) LD were each associated with case status (p≤0.001) but total LD did not reach significance (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.0-1.20; p=0.06). LD associations were somewhat attenuated after adjusting for involution (total OR 1.04 p=0.41; fibrocystic OR 1.13 p=0.02; proliferative OR 1.28 p=0.002) and primary BBD histology (total OR 1.04 p=0.49; fibrocystic OR 1.08 p=0.15; proliferative OR 1.18 p=0.07). Conclusions: The density of proliferative lobules in benign breast biopsy tissue is related to other BBD histologic features but may provide additional breast cancer risk stratification among women with proliferative BBD. Additional research will more fully evaluate the ability of this promising novel measure to predict breast cancer risk. Lobule Density Measures (lobules per square cm) All values are Medians Total Lobule Density Fibrocystic Lobule Density Proliferative Lobule Density Overall 17.5 4.5 0.7 Cases 18.1 4.9 1.3 Controls 17.0 4.2 0.4 Primary BBD Histology Nonproliferative disease 16 3.3 0 Proliferative disease 18.6 5.8 2.7 Atypical hyperplasia 20.9 6.2 3.3 Involution Category None 28.7 5.3 1.0 Partial 19.0 5 1.2 Complete 8.5 2.1 0 Citation Format: Amy C. Degnim, Lynn C. Hartmann, Tanya L. Hoskin, Marlene H. Frost, V Shane Pankratz, Derek C. Radisky, Lorelle L. Benetti, Celine M. Vachon, Teresa M. Allers, Robert A. Vierkant, Daniel W. Visscher. Density of breast lobules in benign breast tissue and association with future breast cancer risk. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 155. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-155
Abstract P4-12-03: Towards a risk prediction model for breast cancer that utilizes breast tissue risk features
Abstract Background: Optimal early detection and prevention strategies for breast cancer are predicated on our ability to accurately identify women at increased risk for disease. Current breast cancer risk prediction models rely on clinical and epidemiologic features. As demonstrated with other cancers, such as those of the cervix and colon, cancer risk assessment is enhanced when the tissue at risk is examined for evidence of premalignant abnormalities. Here, we present a multivariate model for individualized breast cancer risk prediction that incorporates tissue features identified from biopsies from women with benign breast disease (BBD). Methods: We used our cohort of more than 9000 women diagnosed with BBD at the Mayo Clinic from 1967–1991, and identified a nested case:control series of 377 women who developed cancer (cases) matched with 734 women who did not (controls). We identified a set of variables that either alone or in two-way interactions contributed to a multivariable risk prediction model. We combined this relative risk model with the baseline incidence of breast cancer and the baseline hazard of death from our full BBD cohort to develop a risk prediction tool that computes absolute risk estimates for breast cancer. We calculated 5-year risk predictions for these cases and controls using our model and using the Gail model and compared c-statistics from these risk predictions. We validated our model using an independent set of 378 breast cancer cases and 728 matched controls drawn from our BBD cohort. Results: Cases and controls in the model development data set differed significantly on a number of features when examined individually. Those included in a multivariable relative risk model for breast cancer among women with BBD are shown below. After including interactions between lobular involution, and histologic impression, with age at first live birth/number of children, and degree of involution with sclerosing adenosis, we devised a model that predicts the absolute risk of breast cancer. Predicted five-year risks in the model development series, we observed a c-statistic of 0.66, higher than the c-statistic of 0.61 for the Gail model. With risk prediction estimates from our validation series of cases and matched controls, the c-statistic of our model decreased to 0.59 and the c-statistic for the Gail model was 0.55. Conclusion: We have identified an initial risk prediction model for breast cancer in women with BBD. The identified model includes basic demographic information as well as a number of histologic features of the tissue samples. Its initial performance is promising, providing improved discrimination over the Gail model in our replication data set. Further work is needed to identify features which might provide additional predictive information for breast cancer risk. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-12-03.
Abstract MS2-1: Genetics and Epidemiology of Mammographic Breast Density
Abstract Differences in the relative amounts of fat, connective and epithelial tissues in the breast lead to variations in mammographic appearance. Breast density is a measure that reflects this variation in tissue composition and is most commonly assessed as the absolute amount or proportion of the mammogram comprised of fibroglandular or non-fatty tissue. Breast density has been characterized using both qualitative and quantitative estimates. The most widely used clinical density measure is the American College of Radiology's Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) four-category tissue composition measure. Quantitative estimates include user-assisted thresholding methods, and more recently, automated area and volumetric density measures. Increased breast density is common, with 26–32% of women in the general population having dense tissue occupying over half of their breast. Breast density has been shown to be a strong risk factor for breast cancer at any age of mammography, in both Caucasian and non-Caucasian populations, and years prior to the breast cancer. Women with over 50% of their breast comprised of dense tissue have a 3–5 fold increased risk of breast cancer relative to those with low or no density. Further, up to one third of all breast cancers are found in women with density over 50%. Breast density decreases with age, with the greatest declines seen between ages 45–55. This decline has been hypothesized to reflect the reduction of hormones and involution of the breast tissue with onset of menopause. Several risk factors demonstrate associations with percentage breast density that are consistent with their breast cancer associations, suggesting these factors may potentially affect breast cancer risk through their influence on breast density. Positive associations are seen between breast density and nulliparity, late age at first birth, never having breast fed, postmenopausal hormone use (particularly combination therapy), and alcohol intake. Inverse associations are seen with tamoxifen use as well as body mass index (BMI), but BMI and breast density have been shown to be independent risk factors for breast cancer, and likely act through different pathways on risk. Taken together, the epidemiologic risk factors account for only 20–30% of the variation in breast density in the population. Genetics also contribute to the variability in breast density. Twin and family studies have shown that percentage breast density is highly heritable, and that inherited factors explain between 30–60% of the variance. Some of these genetic factors are shared between breast density and breast cancer. Of the established breast cancer loci, single nucleotide polymorphisms in LSP1, ZNF365, ESR1 and RAD51L1, are also associated with breast density. Additional genetic loci for breast density (including a variant at 12q24) have been validated in large consortia. However, the loci identified to date together account for less than 5% of the variance in breast density. Identifying additional genetic loci for breast density will not only help inform the biology of breast density but also contribute to understanding breast cancer and risk prediction efforts. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr MS2-1.
Incidence of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and high‐count monoclonal B‐cell lymphocytosis using the 2008 guidelines