NEW research has identified alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol as age-independent correlates of prevalent breast cancer status in women from Qatar.
The exploratory analysis addressed a major evidence gap, as much of the existing research connecting phenotypic characteristics with breast cancer has been conducted in Western populations. The investigators examined data from the Qatar Biobank, screening 93 demographic, anthropometric, biochemical, lifestyle and medical history variables among 96 women with physician-confirmed breast cancer and 471 healthy controls.
A three-stage filtering process narrowed 42 initial associations to 18 candidates for further investigation. These were subsequently assessed using age-adjusted logistic regression, with the researchers examining how adjustment for potential confounding altered the observed associations.
Age emerged as the strongest correlate of breast cancer status, with the odds of prevalent breast cancer increasing by 10% for each additional year of age (odds ratio: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.08–1.13).
The breast cancer and control groups had a 20-year median age difference, which substantially influenced the initial findings. After adjustment for age, associations involving glycated haemoglobin, body mass index and waist circumference lost statistical significance.
Their estimated effects also attenuated by more than 100% and reversed direction, indicating that the initial relationships were attributable to the age difference between the groups rather than independent associations with breast cancer status.
By contrast, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol remained statistically significant following age adjustment.
Multivariable analyses suggested that the four persistent markers represented two independent associations, relating to hepatic and lipid measures. Neither association was explained by adiposity or glycaemic status.
However, the findings do not establish these biomarkers as breast cancer risk factors. All measurements were collected during a single visit after breast cancer had already been diagnosed in the case group. Consequently, the observed differences could reflect the disease itself, treatment effects or selective survival rather than biological characteristics that preceded cancer development.
The researchers therefore characterised the findings as exploratory cross-sectional correlates of prevalent breast cancer status. Replication in an incident-case cohort will be needed to determine whether the hepatic and lipid associations have relevance to breast cancer development and risk assessment, particularly within Middle Eastern and North African populations.
Reference
Abujamous L et al. Age-adjusted phenome-wide analysis identifies liver enzymes and lipid markers associated with prevalent breast cancer in the Qatar Biobank. J Epidemiol Glob Health. 2026;16:110.
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