HAPTOGLOBIN PHENOTYPE, HP1-1: A POTENTIAL RISK FACTOR OF BREAST CANCER IN GHANAIAN WOMEN.

Background:- The haptoglobin phenotypes association with diseases is widely studied. However, association of the phenotypeswith breast cancer especially in patients of African descents has received little attention. Aim:- To determine the association of haptoglobin phenotypes with breast cancer among Ghanaian patients. Methods:- A total of 63 women diagnosed with breast cancer and 54 female controls were recruited. The participants were between the ages of 20 and 60 years. Demographics and clinical parameters were collected. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis wasused for haptoglobinphenotypingemploying serum iron supplementation method. Results:-Hp 1-1 and HP 1 allele frequencies were high among patients. Hp 1-1 was strongly associated with breast cancer (OR = 3.09, CI = 1.32 – 7.24, p = 0.014) than Hp2-1 (OR = 2.1, CI = 0.88 – 4.58, p = 0.139) and Hp 2-2 (OR = 0.24, CI = 0.10 – 0.54, p = 0.0008). Most of the patients were traders (55.5%) and 22.2% were below the age 40 years. Blood pressure was elevated in patients than controls (p < 0.05) but difference was not significantwhen patients on chemotherapy was compared with those without treatment(p > 0.05). However,body mass index was significantly raised in patients and was independently affected by chemotherapeutic treatment but not age (p < 0.001). Conclusion:-The strong association of haptoglobin phenotype, Hp 1-1 with breast cancer may suggests a critical roleof the protein in disease prognosis.