Translational Epidemiology: An Integrative Approach to Determine the Interplay between Genetic Ancestry and Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status on Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Neha Goel, Sina Yadegarynia, Deukwoo Kwon, Susan B. Kesmodel, James W. Harbour, Erin Kobetz, Nipun Merchant, Daniel A. Rodriguez

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the impact of global and local genetic ancestry and neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES), on breast cancer (BC) subtype, and gene expression. Background: Higher rates of aggressive BC subtypes [triple negative breast cancer (TNBC)] and worse overall BC survival are seen in black women [Hispanic Black (HB) and non-Hispanic Black (NHB)] and women from low nSES. However, the complex relationship between genetic ancestry, nSES, and BC subtype etiology remains unknown. Methods: Genomic analysis was performed on the peripheral blood from a cohort of 308 stage I to IV non-Hispanic White (NHW), Hispanic White (HW), HB, and NHB women with BC. Patient and tumor characteristics were collected. Global and local ancestral estimates were calculated. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to determine associations between age, stage, genetic ancestry, and nSES on rates of TNBC compared to estrogen receptor (ER+)/epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2-), ER+/HER2+, and ER-/HER2+ disease. Results: Among 308 women, we identified a significant association between increasing West African (WA) ancestry and odds of TNBC [odds ratio (OR): 1.06, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.001-1.126, P=0.046] as well as an inverse relationship between higher nSES and TNBC (OR: 0.343, 95% CI: 0.151-0.781, P=0.011). WA ancestry remained significantly associated with TNBC when adjusting for patient age and tumor stage, but not when adjusting for nSES (OR: 1.049, 95% CI: -0.987-1.116, P=0.120). Local ancestry analysis, however, still revealed nSES-independent enriched WA ancestral segment centered at χ2=42004914 (p=3.70×10-5) in patients with TNBC. Conclusions: In this translational epidemiologic study of genetic ancestry and nSES on BC subtype, we discovered associations between increasing WA ancestry, low nSES, and higher rates of TNBC compared to other BC subtypes. Moreover, on admixture mapping, specific chromosomal segments were associated with WA ancestry and TNBC, independent of nSES. However, on multinomial logistic regression adjusting for WA ancestry, women from low nSES were more likely to have TNBC, independent of genetic ancestry. These findings highlight the complex nature of TNBC and the importance of studying potential gene-environment interactions as drivers of TNBC.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)430-440
Number of pages11
JournalAnnals of surgery
Volume276
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • breast cancer
  • genetic ancestry
  • health care disparities
  • neighborhood socioeconomic status

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Translational Epidemiology: An Integrative Approach to Determine the Interplay between Genetic Ancestry and Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status on Triple Negative Breast Cancer'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this