Association of Obesity-Related Genetic Variants (FTO and MC4R) with Breast Cancer Risk: A Population-Based Case–Control Study in Iran

BACKGROUND: Heterogeneous breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related mortality. Obesity defined by BMI is a known major risk factor for breast cancer. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to explore the role of obesity related-polymorphisms rs9939609 Fat Mass and Obesity-associated (FTO) and rs17782313 MC4R in breast cancer development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Matched peripheral blood serum was obtained from 64 breast cancer patients and 83 normal controls. Height and weight were measured to calculate BMI. All were genotyped for the SNPs rs9939609 and rs17782313 using a Tetra-primer ARMS-PCR method. For statistical analysis, the chi-square test and SPSS software were used. RESULTS: In subgroup analyses defined by BMI, FTO rs9939609 genotypes (TT/AA/AT) were significantly associated with the risk of breast cancer only in non-obese subjects (p < 0.005). TT genotypes of MC4R rs17782313 in non-obese and genotypes TT/CC in the overweight group were also statistically associated with breast cancer (p &lt; 0.005). No significant associations between any variants and breast cancer risk were seen in obese subjects. CONCLUSION: Based on the absence of an association between obesity-related SNPs and breast cancer in obese subjects, it is proposed that weight gain in Iranian women will help prevent breast cancer risk. The result help for preparing and designing a safe and versatile recombinant drug in future.