Genetic polymorphisms in the VEGF gene and risk of breast cancer: A report from the Shanghai Breast Cancer Study

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Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a major angiogenic factor involving in a number of pathological processes such as neovascularization, a crucial step in the development of cancer. Several studies have shown that VEGF production may be resulted by estrogen, the hormone that plays a central role in the etiology of breast cancer. Using data and specimens collected in the Shanghai Breast Cancer Study, a population-based case-control study conducted in urban Shanghai during 1996 to 1998, we evaluated the association of VEGF gene polymorphisms with breast cancer risk. Included in this study were 1093 cases and 1184 age-matched community controls who had completed the in-person interview and donated a blood sample to the study. Three polymorphisms in the promoter region (C+405G, G-116A, and T–460C) and one polymorphism in the 3’UTR (C+936T) were genotyped using TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. Allele frequencies of these polymorphisms are as follows (cases vs. controls): 59.3% vs. 59.8% for the +405G allele; 16.6% vs. 17.8% for the -116A allele; 27.2% vs. 26.8% for the -460C allele; 17.9% vs. 19.0% for the +936T allele. Preliminary analyses suggested that VEGF polymorphisms may be associated with breast cancer risk. We will report a comprehensive evaluation of VEGF polymorphisms with breast cancer risk at the meeting.