Although many studies have examined associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1 genes and breast cancer risk, no study has examined functional SNPs in the CYP3A5 gene and only a small number of studies have been investigated in Japanese populations. To examine the association between six SNPs, CYP1A1*2A, CYP1A1*2C, CYP1A2*1F, CYP1B1 Arg 48 Gly, CYP1B1 Leu 432 Val and CYP3A5*3 and breast cancer risk, therefore, we conducted hospital-based case-control studies in Nagano, Japan and Sã o Paulo, Brazil including 873 pairs (403 Japanese (JJ), 81 Japanese Brazilians (JB) and 389 non-Japanese Brazilians (NJB)). Although we found no significant association in the three populations combined, subgroup analyses revealed statistically significant associations of CYP1A2*1F in NJB, and CYP1B1 Leu 432 Val and CYP3A5*3 in JJ with breast cancer risk. Compared to women with the AA genotype in CYP1A2*1F, the odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) for NJB with the CC genotype was 0.54 (0.32-0.90); that for JJ with Leu/Val+Val/Val versus Leu/Leu genotype in CYP1B1 Leu 432 Val was 0.68 (0.48-0.97); and that for JJ with *3/*1+*1/*1 versus *3/*3 genotype in CYP3A5*3 was 1.49 (1.10-2.04). Our findings provide further evidence that genetic polymorphisms related to estrogen metabolism may play a role in the development of breast cancer. Keywords: breast cancer; case-control study; cytochrome P450; immigrants; single nucleotide polymorphism INTRODUCTION Circulating levels of endogenous estrogens, such as estradiol and estrone have been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. 1 An association between circulating levels of estrogen metabolites and risk has also been hypothesized, on the basis that these are potentially both estrogenic and genotoxic. 2,3 In particular, the association between the urinary ratio of 2-hydroxy (2-OHEs) to 16a-hydroxy estrogens (16a-OHEs) and breast cancer risk has been extensively examined, 4-8 whereas many studies have also investigated associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to estrogen metabolism and risk. 2 Although many branch pathways in estrogen metabolism have been demonstrated after hydroxylation, the biological properties of the metabolites are determined mainly by the position of the hydroxylation. Estrogen hydroxylation is mediated by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in the liver, breast tissue or other tissues. Although the sites of