Association of NCOA3 polymorphisms with breast cancer risk

The nuclear receptor coactivator 3 (NCOA3, also known as AIB1) is a coactivator of nuclear receptors like the estrogen receptor. NCOA3 is overexpressed in similar to 60% of primary human breast tumors, and high levels of NCOA3 expression are associated with tamoxifen resistance and worse survival rate. In contrast, NCOA3 deficiency suppresses nu w-Ha-ras - induced breast cancer initiation and progression in mice. Here, we analyzed the influence of NCOA3 coding single nucleotide polymorphisms on breast cancer risk by performing a case-control study using a German and a Polish study population and identified an association between NCOA3 polymorphisms and breast cancer. A joint analysis of the German and the Polish study population revealed a significant protective effect for the 1758G > C (Q586H) and 2880A > G (T960T) variants. In addition, haplotype analysis showed a protective effect of the 1758C-2880A and 1758G-2880G haplotypes (odds ratio 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.67-0.93; P = 0.004). Because of the impact of NCOA3 in antiestrogen therapy resistance, these polymorphisms might also influence therapy outcome in breast cancer.