Genetic Variations in IFNGR1, BDNF and IL-10 May Predict the Susceptibility to Depression and Anxiety in Chinese Women With Breast Cancer

Background: A large number of breast cancer survivors suffer from psychological distress. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between genetic variations in Chinese breast cancer patients and anxiety or depression, and to screen patients who are susceptible to psychological problems.

Methods: A total of 300 early-stage breast cancer patients were recruited in this prospective observational single-center cohort study. With reference to the previous literature and the mechanism concerning anxiety and depression, 9 candidate genes and 29 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) loci were selected. The association between SNP variations and anxiety/depression were analyzed.

Results: After we incorporated meaningful clinicopathological and demographic factors, multivariate analysis showed that the A/G and G/G genotypes of IFNGR1 (rs2234711) and the T/C and T/T genotypes of BDNF (rs6265) were significantly associated with depression (HR 3.10, P = .008; HR 2.04, P = .03). The G/A and G/G genotypes of IL-10 (rs1554286) remained independent predictors of anxiety (HR 1.85, P = .019).

Conclusions: These findings suggested that variations in IL-10, IFNGR1 and BDNF were associated with anxious/depressive symptoms in early-stage breast cancer patients in China, which could help identify patients at high risk for psychological problems.