Lipoprotein (a) plasma levels and risk of breast cancer

Abstract

Dyslipidaemia has been associated with many morbidities including cancer. This study was carried out to assess the influence of dyslipidaemia as evidenced by hyperapolipoproteinaemia (a) on breast cancer in Indian subjects. The effect of chemotherapy on these indices of dyslipidaemia was also assessed. A total of thirty histologically confirmed cases of breast cancer as well as an equal number of age- and BMI-matched controls were enrolled for the study. Their lipid profile was analyzed on a fully automated AU 400 clinical chemistry analyzer using standard reagents. Lipoprotein (a) was determined by the solid phase direct sandwich ELISA method (Diaclore, France). The levels of various lipoproteins like cholesterol, triacylglycerol, HDL, LDL and Lp(a) were higher in cases in comparison to controls. A significant increase was observed in cases with advanced stages. The mean value of lipoprotein (a) decreased in cases after chemotherapy which was statistically significant. This study shows that level of Lipoprotein (a) was significantly elevated in confirmed cases of breast cancer and levels and decreased in patients showing response to chemotherapy. Hence, it can be used as a surrogate marker for determining disease progress or efficacy of treatment.