As various epidemiological studies associated type 2 diabetes with increased incidence of various cancer types, including breast cancer, we wondered what is the specific contribution of insulin resistance in breast carcinogenesis at the clinical level [10–12]. To this aim we compared breast cancer patients to healthy women in order to assess whether a correlation exist with MS criteria and, specifically, insulin resistance measured through PF-6463922 molecular weight Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA-IR). Methods Enrollment and exclusion criteria 975 women spanning 35–75 years in age have been enrolled in our nested case–control observational

retrospective study between 2008 and 2011 (Table 1). 410 women underwent surgery for breast cancer (cases), whereas 565 were healthy women (controls). Healthy women referred to National Cancer Institute for the breast cancer screening program. Women aged over forty had clinical examination, find more mammogram and ultrasound. Women under forty had clinical examination and ultrasound. Cases were patients with histological diagnosis of breast cancer at age of recruitment. Controls were patients with

completely negative clinical-instrumental reports and no familial history of breast or ovarian cancer. None of the controls has developed a breast cancer till today. In accordance with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, after obtaining informed consent, for each woman anthropometric features were measured, Nintedanib (BIBF 1120) including weight in kilograms, height

in meters, waist and hip circumference; arterial blood pressure was taken and venous blood was collected on study entry. Body Mass Index (BMI) (kg/m2) was calculated from weight and see more height values and evaluated according to the World Health Organization classification (<25 kg/m2 = underweight/normal, ≥25 kg/m2 = overweight/obese). The waist and hip ratio (WHR) was obtained from waist and hip circumference, measuring the smallest circumference of both to discriminate between android and gynoid fat distribution. Fasting plasma glucose, insulin levels, HDL-C, triglycerides, were assessed from blood samples. In particular, fasting plasma glucose, HDL-C and triglycerides were measured according to the NCEP ATP III criteria. Blood samples were locally assessed at the central laboratory of the National Cancer Institute. Sample collection was standardized by time at blood withdrawing. Samples were taken in the early morning hours (between 8.00 and 10.00 A.M.). Fasting plasma glucose assessment was measured by the COBAS INTEGRA Glucose HK cassette (GLUC2). It contains an in vitro diagnostic reagent system intended for use on COBAS INTEGRA systems for the quantitative determination of the glucose concentration in hemolysate. Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) applied on Cobas 6000 was used for insulin concentration measurement. Enzymatic colorimetric test CHOD – POD was employed for cholesterol dosage.