Abstract C65: Defining the implications of sugar derived metabolites (AGEs) to tamoxifen resistance and breast cancer disparity: Is it a question of lifestyle?

Tamoxifen is the most widely prescribed adjuvant therapy for estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer which comprises around 70% of all breast cancer cases. While many patients respond positively to tamoxifen treatment around 50% have de-novo resistance and approximately 30% of responsive tumors recur due to acquired drug resistance. Compared to European American women, African-American women with ER+ breast cancer, have worse progression-free and overall survival which coincides with increased resistance to anti-cancer therapies such as tamoxifen. Poor diet, low income, obesity and a lack of exercise are established lifestyle factors that are known to increase cancer burden and are often more prevalent in African American communities. Our research has identified a potential mechanistic link between sugar derived metabolites and estrogen receptor (ER) phosphorylation which provides a biological consequence of these established lifestyle factors which may directly impact tamoxifen therapy and minority health.Glycation is the non-enzymatic glycosylation of sugar moieties to biological macromolecules such as protein and DNA which produces reactive metabolites known as advanced glycation end products (AGE's). AGE's accumulate in our tissues as we grow older and drive many of the complications associated with diseases displaying health disparity including diabetes, metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer's and heart disease. Significantly, low income, obesity and an inactive lifestyle...
Source: Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: Breast Cancer: Poster Presentations - Proffered Abstracts Source Type: research