Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related mortality for both men and women in the United States. Relatively little is known about the pathogenesis and epidemiology of this malignancy. Our general goals are: first, to examine prospectively hypotheses regarding the etiology of pancreatic cancer, and, second, to establish a unique database consisting of repeated dietary and lifestyle assessments over several decades, archived blood specimens, and archived tumor tissue. This resource will allow for the rapid examination of future hypotheses as they emerge. We will use the resources of three large cohort studies with prospectively collected blood specimens: the Nurses' Health Study (NHS), Health Professionals' Follow-up Study (HPFS), and Physicians' Health Study (PHS). Blood specimens will be analyzed using a matched, nested case-control design of projected cases through 2002 to evaluate hypotheses focusing on mechanisms of pancreatic cancer pathogenesis. First, we will examine whether an association between energy intake, obesity, greater adult height, sedentary lifestyle, or diabetes mellitus and pancreatic cancer is mediated through insulin-like growth factors and binding proteins. Second, we will examine whether biochemical indicators of methyl-group availability are associated with pancreatic cancer risk and whether the influence of folate is modified by methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms. Third, we will examine whether polymorphisms of genes responsible for detoxification and activation of aromatic/heterocyclic amines influence the risk of pancreatic cancer, and whether the associations of smoking and red meat intake with pancreatic cancer are influenced by these polymorphisms. Finally, we will examine the prevalence and spectrum of K-ras mutations, the prevalence of pl6 loss of heterozygosity and the level of p53, p21 and p27 expression among pancreatic cancers, and assess the influence of dietary and other factors on the prevalence of these molecular changes. These studies will enhance our understanding of pancreatic carcinogenesis and provide a scientific foundation for future preventive efforts. This is the first R01 submitted by the principal investigator following a K award from NCI.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA086102-05
Application #
6794667
Study Section
Epidemiology and Disease Control Subcommittee 2 (EDC)
Program Officer
Verma, Mukesh
Project Start
2000-09-01
Project End
2006-08-31
Budget Start
2004-09-01
Budget End
2006-08-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$483,863
Indirect Cost
Name
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
030811269
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115
Grodstein, Francine; Manson, JoAnn E; Stampfer, Meir J et al. (2008) Postmenopausal hormone therapy and stroke: role of time since menopause and age at initiation of hormone therapy. Arch Intern Med 168:861-6
Michaud, Dominique S; Wolpin, Brian; Giovannucci, Ed et al. (2007) Prediagnostic plasma C-peptide and pancreatic cancer risk in men and women. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 16:2101-9
Wolpin, B M; Michaud, D S; Giovannucci, E L et al. (2007) Circulating insulin-like growth factor axis and the risk of pancreatic cancer in four prospective cohorts. Br J Cancer 97:98-104
Wolpin, Brian M; Michaud, Dominique S; Giovannucci, Edward L et al. (2007) Circulating insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 and the risk of pancreatic cancer. Cancer Res 67:7923-8
Skinner, Halcyon G; Michaud, Dominique S; Giovannucci, Edward et al. (2006) Vitamin D intake and the risk for pancreatic cancer in two cohort studies. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 15:1688-95
Michaud, Dominique S; Skinner, Halcyon G; Wu, Kana et al. (2005) Dietary patterns and pancreatic cancer risk in men and women. J Natl Cancer Inst 97:518-24
Schernhammer, Eva S; Hu, Frank B; Giovannucci, Ed et al. (2005) Sugar-sweetened soft drink consumption and risk of pancreatic cancer in two prospective cohorts. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 14:2098-105
Schernhammer, Eva S; Kang, Jae-Hee; Chan, Andrew T et al. (2004) A prospective study of aspirin use and the risk of pancreatic cancer in women. J Natl Cancer Inst 96:22-8
Skinner, Halcyon G; Michaud, Dominique S; Giovannucci, Edward L et al. (2004) A prospective study of folate intake and the risk of pancreatic cancer in men and women. Am J Epidemiol 160:248-58
Skinner, Halcyon G; Michaud, Dominique S; Colditz, Graham A et al. (2003) Parity, reproductive factors, and the risk of pancreatic cancer in women. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 12:433-8

Showing the most recent 10 out of 16 publications