Leptin level seric in patient with and without breast cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in women. Estrogen produced by aromatization of androgens in adipocytes is important for developing this disease. Adipocytes secrete adipocininas, such as leptin, and this substance may contribute to increased risk of breast cancer. Objective: Correlate serum levels of leptin in patients with and without breast cancer. Methods: A case-control study, that enrolled 42 women diagnosed with breast cancer and 42 women without, matched for age and body mass index (BMI). Serum levels of leptin were assessed by ELISA. The study was approved by the Research and Ethics Committee of the university hospital. There are no conflicts of interest in this release. Results: The levels of leptin in patients (28.54±14.51) were lower than that of controls (36.78±21.71), with statistical significance (p=0.046). Leptin correlation with BMI was 0.60 and 0.72, respectively, for cases and controls. In cases positive axillary status showed statistical significance compared with leptin levels categorized according to the study (p=0.018). Conclusions: Cases and controls had different mean values of serum leptin (p=0.046). It is noted in the literature widely varying values of leptin, either serum, or plasmatic, making it difficult to compare because of lack of standardization of results. Wasn’t find references to the axillary status and serum leptin.