Brain cancer is a leading cause of cancer death and it is a deadly disease with a poorly understood etiology. The most consistent risk factor is ionizing radiation, and the genetic and environmental risk factors are unknown. It has been suggested that N-nitroso compounds or foods high in them may be a major contributor to cancer risk. The proposed research focuses on the association between dietary N-nitroso intake and brain cancer. The hypothesis that N-nitroso compounds are associated with human brain cancer is supported by several lines of evidence. First, animal experiments have shown the N-nitroso compounds to be the most broad acting and the most potent group of carcinogens. Second, mechanisms how N-nitroso compounds promote DNA damage and lead to carcinogenesis have been described. Finally, some, but not all epidemiological studies evaluating the role of N-nitroso compounds have shown a positive association or increased risk of stomach and upper gastro-intestinal tract cancers, colorectal cancer, and brain cancer. However, most dietary epidemiological studies have measured intakes of N-nitroso compounds poorly, used surrogate or incomplete measures, and had low statistical power. Therefore, a validated instrument for the dietary assessment for N-nitroso intake using appropriate nutritional, biometric, and epidemiological techniques is needed. The goal of this developmental project is to use quantitative techniques to develop a valid, reliable, and sensitive tool for assessing N-nitroso dietary intake in adults, and then retest the association between N-nitroso intake and brain cancer. Ultimately the methodology will support subsequent investigations in the rapidly developing area of genetic and molecular epidemiology, and help understand genetic and dietary interactions of N-nitroso compounds in the development of brain and other cancers.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
5R03CA103515-02
Application #
6795927
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZCA1-SRRB-Q (M1))
Program Officer
Hartmuller, Virginia W
Project Start
2003-09-01
Project End
2006-08-31
Budget Start
2004-09-01
Budget End
2006-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$72,900
Indirect Cost
Name
Baylor College of Medicine
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
051113330
City
Houston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77030
Stuff, Janice E; Goh, Eugenia T; Barrera, Stephanie L et al. (2009) N-nitroso compounds: assessing agreement between food frequency questionnaires and 7-day food records. J Am Diet Assoc 109:1179-83
Stuff, Janice E; Goh, Eugenia T; Barrera, Stephanie L et al. (2009) Construction of an N-nitroso database for assessing dietary intake. J Food Compost Anal 22:S42-S47