PREECLAMPSIA, AUTOIMMUNE-DISEASES AND BREAST-CANCER ETIOLOGY

Previous hypotheses concerning the negative association between pre-ec lampsia (Or pregnancy-induced hypertension) and breast cancer risk hav e focused on hormone-related factors. A hypothesis is presented that c ertain non-specific cellular immune responses could be involved in thi s association and in the negative association between autoimmune disea ses (i.e., systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis) and certain cancers. Future directions for epidemiological and laboratory research suggested by this hypothesis are discussed.