The identification of the genes and variants underlying these associations will require more detailed fine mapping and functional analysis. Nevertheless, it is possible to discern some patterns. We identified 53 genes within 50 kb of the lead SNPs in the newly associated regions, totaling 96 genes when including the previously known loci. Analysis using Ingenuity Systems Pathway Analysis (IPA) identified an excess of genes reported to be involved in tumorigenesis (34 genes; P = 0.0005), breast cancer (15 genes; P = 2 × 10−5) and tumor incidence in model systems (10 genes; P = 2 × 10−7). The most consistently over-represented functions were cell death (P = 0.0028), differentiation (P = 2 × 10−5) and expression (P = 2 × 10−8).
