Correlates of Circulating Osteoprotegerin in Women with a Pathogenic or Likely Pathogenic Variant in the BRCA1 Gene.

Background: Lower levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG), the decoy receptor for receptor activator of NFκB (RANK)-ligand, have been reported among women with a BRCA1 mutation, suggesting OPG may be marker of cancer risk. Whether various reproductive, hormonal, or lifestyle factors impact OPG levels in these women is unknown.

Methods: BRCA1 mutation carriers enrolled in a longitudinal study, no history of cancer, and a serum sample for OPG quantification, were included.

Plasma RANKL levels are not associated with breast cancer risk in and mutation carriers.

Background: Aberrant progesterone/receptor activator of nuclear factor κβ (RANK) signaling has been implicated in breast cancer development. Furthermore, lower circulating RANKL has been reported among women with a mutation compared to non-carriers; however, there have been no reports of plasma RANKL levels and subsequent breast cancer risk. We prospectively evaluated the relationship between plasma RANKL and breast cancer risk among women with a or mutation.

Serum osteoprotegerin levels and mammographic density among high-risk women.

Purpose: Mammographic density is a risk factor for breast cancer but the mechanism behind this association is unclear. The receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (RANK)/RANK ligand (RANKL) pathway has been implicated in the development of breast cancer. Given the role of RANK signaling in mammary epithelial cell proliferation, we hypothesized this pathway may also be associated with mammographic density.

Plasma osteoprotegerin and breast cancer risk in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers.

Emerging evidence suggests a role of receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (RANK)/RANK ligand (RANKL) signaling in breast cancer development. Lower osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels, the endogenous decoy receptor for RANKL which competes with RANK for binding of RANKL, has been reported among BRCA mutation carriers. Whether low OPG levels contribute to the high breast cancer risk in this population is unknown.