Risk Factors and Molecular Study of Vimentin Gene (VIM), Associated with Female Breast Cancer in Khartoum, Sudan

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the possible risk factors and mutations in VIM gene among Sudanese’s breast cancer women in Khartoum State. Methods: This case-control study involved 45 patients with breast cancer and 45controls. It was conducted across three hospitals and two laboratories in Khartoum State. A structural questionnaire was used to obtain data regarding age, family history, menarche, marriage, menopause, pregnancy, nulliparous and parous women, breast-feeding, use of fertility or contraceptive drugs and grade of the disease. DNA from patient and control tissues was extracted using extraction kits. PCR was conducted to amplify VIM gene using specific primers. PCR products were sequenced in order to detect the mutation in VIM gene. Data was analyzed using Pearson’s Chi-square tests to identify risk factors associated with breast cancer. Results: The study showed that the main risk factors associated with breast cancer were family history with first degree relative, menarche, irregularity of menarche, reproductive factors such as pregnancy, breast-feeding and nulliparous. DNA sequencing revealed no mutations in VIM gene associated with breast cancer in Sudanese women in Khartoum State. Conclusion: The association of other risk factors such as menopausal status, age of menopausal, oral contraceptive birth control and fertility hormones needs more illumination and further work. Other genes associated with breast cancer can be investigated.