A connection between vitamin D level and the risk of developing breast cancer has been implicated for a long time, but its clinical relevance had not yet been proven.

The result of the study involving 1,394 breast cancer patients and an equal number of healthy women after menopause was surprisingly clear: Women with a very low blood level of 25(OH)D have a considerably increased breast cancer risk. The effect was found to be strongest in women who were not taking hormones for relief of menopausal symptoms.

However, the authors note that, in this retrospective study, diagnosis-related factors such as chemotherapy or lack of sunlight after prolonged hospital stays might have contributed to low vitamin levels of breast cancer patients.

In addition, the investigators focused on the vitamin D receptor. The gene of this receptor is found in several variants known as polymorphisms. The research team of the DKFZ and Eppendorf Hospitals investigated the effect of four of these polymorphisms on the risk of developing breast cancer.

They found out that carriers of the Taql polymorphism have a slightly increased risk of breast tumors that carry receptors for the female sex hormone estrogen on their surface. No effects on the overall breast cancer risk were found. A possible explanation offered by the authors is that vitamin D can exert its cancer-preventing effect by counteracting the growth-promoting effect of estrogens.

Besides its cancer-preventing influence with effects on cell growth, cell differentiation and programmed cell death (apoptosis), vitamin D regulates, above all, the calcium metabolism in our body.

Foods that are particularly rich in vitamin D include fish (cod liver oil), eggs and dairy products. However, the largest portion of vitamin D is produced by our own body with the aid of sunlight.

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Choline, an essential nutrient found in foods such as eggs, is associated with a 24 percent reduced risk of breast cancer, according to a study supported by a grant from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), to be published in The FASEB Journal’s print issue in June.(1) This study adds to the growing body of evidence that links egg consumption to a decreased risk of breast cancer.

“Choline is needed for the normal functioning of cells, no matter your age or gender,” says Steven H. Zeisel, MD, PhD, University of North Carolina, who is an author of the study and a leading choline researcher. “Increasing evidence shows that it may be particularly important for women, particularly those of child-bearing age.”

Only ten percent of Americans currently meet the recommended intake for choline, identifying a need to increase choline intake across the population.(2) According to the Institute of Medicine, adequate choline intake is 550 milligrams per day for men and breastfeeding women, 425 milligrams per day for women, and 450 milligrams per day for pregnant women.(3) One egg contains 125.5 milligrams of choline, or roughly a quarter the recommended daily supply, making eggs an excellent source of this essential nutrient.(4) Choline is found exclusively in the egg’s yolk. Other top food sources of choline include liver, wheat germ and cauliflower.

“While choline is an essential nutrient to the human diet, most people haven’t even heard of it,” says Gerald Weissmann, MD, Editor in Chief of The FASEB Journal and research professor of medicine and director of the Biotechnology Study Center at the New York University School of Medicine. “Given that in the U.S. there is a real need to understand how much choline we require in our diet, we hope that research, education and awareness about choline will increase as a result of this study published in The FASEB Journal.”

Eggs and Decreased Risk of Breast Cancer:

Two previously published studies, supported by NIH grants, have shown that women who eat eggs have a lower risk of developing breast cancer:

* A study published in 2003 by researchers at Harvard University found that women who reported higher consumption of eggs, vegetable fat and fiber during adolescence had a smaller risk of developing breast cancer as adults. Specifically, eating one egg per day was associated with an 18 percent reduced risk of breast cancer.(5)

* A study of Chinese women published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention in 2005 showed that those who consumed the most fruit, vegetables and eggs were significantly less likely to have breast cancer. For those that reported eating at least six eggs per week, the risk of developing breast cancer was 44 percent lower than for those who ate two or less eggs per week.(6)

Other Benefits of Choline:

In addition to playing a role in the normal functioning of all cells, including brain and nerve function, liver metabolism and the transportation of nutrients throughout the body, choline has been shown to:

* Prevent Birth Defects: According to population-based research, infants from mothers whose diets were deficient in choline were four times more likely to have neural tube defects such as spina bifida. This increased risk was observed even when other nutrients that help prevent birth defects, such as folic acid, were in adequate supply.(7)

* Improve Memory: Research suggests that choline is essential for proper fetal and infant brain development. It appears that choline affects the areas of the brain responsible for memory function and life-long learning ability.(8)

* Reduce Heart Disease Risk: Choline, like folate, is involved in breaking down homocysteine, an amino acid in the blood that may be associated with an increased risk of heart disease. In fact, research shows that choline deficiency results in increased homocysteine levels.(9) This may help to explain why 30 years of research have shown that healthy adults can consume eggs without increasing their risk of heart disease

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A new breast cancer study comparing Herceptin with Tykerb aims to develop a new model for global cancer research. The trial, dubbed ALTTO (Adjuvant Lapatinib and/or Trastuzumab Treatment Optimization), will track all care and data collection in a standardized format, regardless of where patients are being treated.

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The world’s top laser experts will gather in Kissimmee, FL, to share innovations in lasers and emerging technologies at the 28th Annual Scientific Conference of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS). “LASER 2008” will be held on April 2-6, 2008, at the Gaylord PalmsTM Resort and Convention Center. Headlining the scientific program are acknowledged leaders in the field who will unveil the latest research developments and clinical studies in laser medicine, as well as present promising devices poised to enhance disease detection and management.

The ASLMS conference is traditionally regarded as the premier forum for the introduction of the newest breakthroughs in laser diagnostics and technology. Accordingly, some of the research and techniques presented at the meeting are only in the early stages of development. In addition to nearly 2,000 laser specialists in aesthetic medicine, dermatology, ophthalmology, oncology, urology, gynecology and dentistry, about 160 industry exhibitors will be on hand to showcase their latest products.

Scientific Highlights

This year’s “hot topics” include the following featured presentations:

* Groundbreaking Laser Research Aims to Get to the Root of Acne – Early research findings on the use of a tunable free electron laser that selectively targets the chemical bond structures of acne sebum will be presented. Until now, the current laser and light sources targeting acne only have had a secondary effect on sebaceous glands. The paper was named the ASLMS “Best Overall Basic Science Award” for the conference.
* Promising Research Uses Laser-Activated Gold Nanoparticles to Detect Breast Cancer Cells – Data from laboratory studies of a novel photoacoustic system that combines laser energy and nanotechnology to detect and quantify circulating breast cancer cells will be presented. Currently based on in vitro testing of human blood, this new technology could one day lead to better therapies for patients by fighting cancer at the single cell level, before cancer cells turn into tumors.
* Laser Eye Scanning Device for Detecting Alzheimer’s Disease Could Lead to Early Diagnosis, Better Treatment Outcomes for Patients – Promising new research will discuss a non-invasive laser eye scanning technology that combines laser-induced scatter and fluorescence measurements to detect the presence of a specific protein known to accumulate in the brain and eyes of Alzheimer’s patients. This ocular diagnostic tool is being tested in vitro, with plans for clinical trials to begin in the next 12 months.
* The Skinny on Non-Invasive Fat Reduction – A new concept of using cold to destroy fat cells based on animal experiments will be introduced. Leading researchers in fat removal, body contouring and cellulite reduction will present key insights on how a better scientific understanding of the biology and physiology of fat can lead to improved clinical treatments in the future.
* Innovations in Laser Hair Removal Expand Patient Base, Improve Results and Offer Gentler Treatments – Ongoing advances in laser hair removal technology have expanded the patient base, enhanced patient safety and improved clinical efficacy of this popular procedure. New approaches for reducing pain, safely treating darker skin patients who are taking a popular acne medication, and using a shorter pulsed laser for hair removal will be addressed.

Keynote Speaker

This year’s keynote speaker is laser pioneer R. Rox Anderson, MD, professor at Harvard Medical School, adjunct professor at MIT, and director of the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Dr. Anderson’s lecture entitled “Innovation, Disruption and Suffering from Success” will be delivered on Saturday, April 5th.

Awards and Achievements

The ASLMS 2008 Leon Goldman Memorial Award will be bestowed to ASLMS Past-President Jerome M. Garden, MD, of Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago, IL, for his excellence in performing clinical laser research, maintaining a high standard of patient care and educating others in medical laser applications.

Jeffrey S. Dover, MD, of SkinCare Physicians in Chestnut Hill, MA, is this year’s recipient of the Ellet H. Drake Lectureship Award for his contributions to laser procedures and products, the scientific literature and his excellence in teaching.

The 2008 Nursing/Allied Health Excellence Award will be presented to Sharon K. Olson, RN, CMLSO, of Olympic Dermatology & Laser Clinic of Olympia, WA, in recognition of her exceptional nursing/allied health contributions to ASLMS and the advancement of joint practice in laser medicine and surgery.

Richard E. Fitzpatrick, MD, of La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre in La Jolla, CA, will receive the 2008 Caroline and William Mark Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to laser technology.

The ASLMS is pleased to announce a new award this year – the Dr. Horace Furumoto Innovations Award, created to memorialize and honor Dr. Furumoto’s genius and leadership in the development of laser technology. Dieter Manstein, MD, of the Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School of Boston is the recipient of this year’s inaugural award for demonstrating a potential for contributing to the education and creativity required to expand the development of lasers in health care.

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