Role of cytochrome P450 genes in breast cancer etiology and treatment: effects on estrogen biosynthesis, metabolism, and response to endocrine therapy

Heather L. Blackburn, Darrell L. Ellsworth, Craig D. Shriver, Rachel E. Ellsworth*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: The cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes are oxygenases involved in estrogen biosynthesis and metabolism, generation of DNA damaging procarcinogens, and response to anti-estrogen therapies. Since lifetime estrogen exposure is an established risk factor for breast cancer, determining the role of CYP genes in breast cancer etiology may provide critical information for understanding tumorigenesis and response to treatment.

Methods: This review summarizes literature available in PubMed published between 1993 and 2013 that focuses on studies evaluating the effects of DNA variants in CYP genes on estrogen synthesis, metabolism, and generation of procarcinogens in addition to response to anti-estrogen therapies.

Results: Evaluation of DNA variants in estrogen metabolism genes was largely inconclusive. Meta-analyses of data from CYP19A1 support an association between the number of (TTTA)n repeats in intron 4 and breast cancer risk, but the biological mechanism for this relationship is unknown. Associations between single nucleotide polymorphism in CYP1B1 and DNA damage caused by procarcinogenic estrogen metabolites were ambiguous. Variants in CYP2D6 are associated with altered metabolism tamoxifen; however, current data do not support widespread clinical testing. The effect of variants in CYP19A1 in response to aromatase inhibitors is also questionable.

Conclusion: Evaluation of DNA variants in CYP genes involved with estrogen metabolism or treatment response has been inconclusive, reflecting small samples sizes, tumor heterogeneity, and differences between populations. Better-powered studies that account for genetic backgrounds and tumor phenotypes are thus necessary.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)319-332
Number of pages14
JournalCancer Causes and Control
Volume26
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Breast cancer
  • Cytochrome P450
  • Drug metabolism
  • Estrogen biosynthesis and metabolism
  • Procarcinogen

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Role of cytochrome P450 genes in breast cancer etiology and treatment: effects on estrogen biosynthesis, metabolism, and response to endocrine therapy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this