Serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein in breast cancer patients

Background:Breast cancer, second commonest malignancy in women is a multifactorial disease. Key role of chronic low grade inflammation has been linked with pathophysiology of breast cancer. High sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP) is an acute phase reactant proinflammatory protein synthesized in hepatocytes. Present case control study was aimed with primary objective of estimation of serum hsCRP levels in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and to correlate them with the staging of the disease.  Methods:We enrolled 60 newly histologically diagnosed cases of breast cancer and 60 healthy age matched controls. Demographic features, anthropometric measures were recorded. After overnight fast, blood samples were collected and analyzed for serum hsCRP levels.Results:We observed significant differences between cases and controls in anthropometric parameters BMI and waist: hip (P <0.05) and hsCRP levels (P <0.001).  Depending of the stage, serum hsCRP levels were associated with advanced stage. In stage I, association of hsCRP was not significant with disease while in stage II and III there was significant association. In stage IV patients with distant metastasis, serum hsCRP values were highly significantly raised compared to stage II and III. This suggests significant association of state of inflammation with stage of breast cancer.Conclusion:Inflammatory component plays key role in all stages of tumourigenesis from initiation of the tumor, infiltration, local and systemic invasion. Estimation of hsCRP may be simple, inexpensive and useful tool for risk assessment, screening of high risk individuals and to predict outcome in diagnosed cases.

C-Reactive Protein and Breast Cancer: New Insights from Old Molecule

Recently an association between breast cancer and inflammation has emerged as the seventh hallmark of cancer. Chronic inflammation is a key contributor in the development and progression of carcinogenesis. Inflammatory pathways play an important role in the causation of breast cancer. C-reactive protein (CRP) an acute-phase reactant inflammatory protein is synthesized in hepatocytes in response to cytokines that are released from leucocytes within the tumor microenvironment. Several epidemiological studies appraised an association of CRP with breast cancer risk with inconsistent findings. Elevated levels at the time of diagnosis of breast cancer indicate aggressiveness of the tumor. CRP is also a well-established independent prognostic marker. Breast cancer survivors with the state of chronic inflammation are at risk of recurrence and metabolic disturbances. CRP lowering agents along with chemotherapeutic drugs will improve the survival of breast cancer patients. Also, it is a risk predictor for subsequent cardiotoxicity in patients receiving chemotherapy. The present review is aimed at elucidating the role of C-reactive protein, as an inflammatory risk marker and prognostic predictor of breast cancer. It also focuses on conflicting views on the role of CRP in breast cancer and its impact on therapeutic interventions