Plasma Levels of Angiotensin-Converting Enzymes 1 and 2 and <i>AGTR</i>2 (T1247G and A5235G) Gene Polymorphisms Are Associated to Breast Cancer Progression

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women. Diagnosed and treated timely , p a tients may have good prognostics. In Brazil, in 2012, the estimate of new cases was 52,680 and the number of registered deaths in 201 2 was 12,852. The Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) is known for its role in arterial hypertension and in other cardiovascular diseases. Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the key to Ang-(1-7) formation, and counterbalances the ACE1/AngII/A GTR 1 axis actions. RAS components have complex interactions with different tissues and their actions are not restricted to the cardiovascular system. Recently , the RAS has been associated with different types of cancer s and in particular with gynecological cancers. Objectives: Our aim is to investigate possible associations between allelic distribution of two genetic polymorphisms in the AGTR 2 receptor with ACEs 1 and 2 plasma levels among women with breast cancer. Patients and Methods: Patients with breast cancer were genotyped for two polymorphisms of the AGTR 2 (T1247G and A5235G). Genotyping assays (TaqMan) were performed with genomic DNA extracted from blood cells. ACEs plasma level measurements were conducted in women from the breast-cancer group (N = 53). ACEs were measured in the plasma of these patients using ELISA kits. Results: SNPs genotype distribution is correlated with ACEs plasma levels. ACEs plasma levels are also correlated with clinical variables and ACE2 high levels are associated with better prognostics. Conclusions: Changes in circulating levels of ECA1/AngII ECA2/ Ang-(1-7) determine the magnitude of the inflammatory response that an individual can trigger and the variation in ACE 1 and 2 plasma level measurements in the blood of breast cancer patients suggests an association with the process of mammary carcinogenesis. Thus, the RAS may be associated with the process of mammary carcinogenesis by both genotypic variations of RAS components and by circulating levels of ACEs .