Biomedical Research

Background: Apart from different cancer types in females, breast cancer falls among frequent cancers all over the world. The data from the current studies shows that females with advanced stages of breast cancer also prone to Autoimmune Thyroid Disorders (AITDs).

Methodology: Hundred breast cancer patients (Stage-III) with palpable thyroid nodule in the age group of 30-75 y were eligible for inclusion in the study. Hundred age and sex-matched clinically apparently healthy individuals were included as controls. FT3, FT4, TSH, TPOAb, TgAb, TSHr Ab, prolactin and estradiol were estimated by using ELISA kit method. Serum Protein-Bound Iodine (PBI) and selenium were estimated by using a flow injection hydride generation Atomic Absorption Spectrometric (AAS) method.

Results: The mean age and weight for diseased group were 58.36 ± 11.78 y and 74.96 ± 12.66 kg. The decreased levels (3.73 ± 0.189 pmol/L) of T3 were observed in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients as compared to controls (4.72 ± 0.24 pmol/L). Higher levels of T4 (17.86 ± 4.98 pmol/L) were recorded in patients as compared to controls (10.11 ± 1.64 pmol/L). The serum TSH levels in the breast cancer patients were raised (3.54 ± 0.26 mIU/L) in contrary to control group (1.9 ± 0.134 mIU/L). Significantly higher levels of Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb), Thyro-Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOAb) and Thyrotropin Stimulating Hormone receptor Antibodies (TSHrAb) were recorded in breast cancer patients (62.07 ± 6.94 pmol/L, 24.1 ± 6.81 and 3.1 ± 0.43 IU/L pmol/L) as compared to controls respectively. The levels of iodine and selenium in patients were reduced (32.03 ± 4.76 ng/ml and 51.03 ± 2.13 mlU/L) as compared to the controls. Highly significant higher serum levels of prolactin (35.09 ± 4.76) were observed in diseases group as compared to controls (7.14 ± 1.57 pg/ml). Serum estrogen levels in patients were 10.47 ± 1.67 pg/ml, while in healthy individuals they were 6.55 ± 0.88 pg/ml, which shows statistically highly significant profile between the two groups.

Conclusion: The present study show an association in between breast cancer and thyroid disorders, as thyroid hormone profile regulates breast cancer initiation. Therefore, these biomarkers can be used in prognosis i.e., in management and progression of breast cancer.

Author(s): Arif Malik, Muhammad Abdul Basit Ashraf, Mahwish Arooj, Sulayman Waquar, Ayesha Zahid, Rabia Rasool
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