CAROTENOIDS, VITAMIN-A, AND ESTROGEN-RECEPTOR STATUS IN BREAST-CANCER

Among patients with breast cancer, tumors that contain estrogen recept ors (ER) are associated with improved survival and better response 20 hormone therapy than those not expressing these receptors. The purpose of these case comparison studies was to examine the relationship betw een carotenoids, vitamin A, and the tumor ER status in women at diagno sis of primary breast cancer. The focus of the first study was the rel ationship between, dietary intake and ER status, and the focus of the second study, was the relationship between ER status and the plasma ca rotenoid, retinol, and tocopherol concentrations. We evaluated tumor E R status and self-reported dietary intake in 142 women and plasma conc entrations of carotenoids, retinol, and tocopherols in 149 women, at d iagnosis of breast cancer, before any medical or surgical treatment. I n the first study the overall odds of ER-positive status were increase d in relation to number of mammograms in the past five years, number o f breast-fed babies, dietary carotenoid intake, and more frequent inta ke of yellow and green vegetables. Overall odds of ER-positive status were decreased in relation to years of oral contraceptive use and pref ormed vitamin A intake. In the second study older women, women with hi gher plasma lutein concentration, and women not using beta-carotene su pplements were more likely to be ER positive, when data were adjusted for body mass index and factors that may influence breast cancer risk or hormonal status. Significant independent relationships between plas ma retinol or tocopherol concentrations and ER status were not observe d. The strong and independent relationships between carotenoid intake, plasma lutein concentration, and ER status may relate to observations linking a carotenoid-rich diet with improved prognosis after diagnosi s of breast cancer.