Distribution of HER2^V655 genotypes in breast cancer cases and controls in the United States

The minor variant frequency of a HER2 polymorphism (HER2^V655) has been determined for 471 United States women enrolled in a multiracial case-control study. Allelic frequencies varied significantly by race. Genotypic distributions showed no excess breast cancer risk associated with inheritance of HER2^V655 either as carriers (OR=1.2, 95% CI=0.8-1.9), heterozygotes (OR=1.2, 95% CI=0.8-1.9), or homozygotes (OR=1.4, 95% CI=0.4-4.2). Nor was there a significant association when each racial group was considered separately. The current study suggests the HER2^V655 allele is not a breast cancer risk factor for Caucasians, African-Americans, or Latinas.