bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract A33: Expression of markers of inflammation and angiogenesis in preneoplastic lesions and colon cancer progression
Authors: Cammarota Rosaria , Bertolini Valentina , Pennesi Giuseppina , Bucci Eraldo O. , Garlanda Cecilia , Barberis Massimo C. , Sessa Fausto , Noonan Douglas M. , Albini Adriana
Published: May 2012

Colorectal cancer (CRC) was the first solid tumor to be successfully targeted with anti-angiogenic therapy in the clinic. Tumor angiogenesis is critical for cancer progression in that it permits expansion of the tumor mass and fosters malignant dissemination. Angiogenesis is a multistep process involving endothelial cells as well as numerous stromal components within the tumor microenvironment that also represent potential therapeutic targets. Inflammation dependent-angiogenesis is increasingly recognised as a central force in tumor growth and progression, while use of anti-inflammatory drugs has been found to reduce incidence of CRC carcinoma potentially through repression of tumor angiogenesis. We investigated the link between inflammatory angiogenesis and colorectal cancer in archival tissues across a range of pathologies that represent diverse steps in the progression of CRC: 16 cases of ulcerative colitis (URC), 16 adenocarcinomas developed from pre-existing tubular or tubulo-villous adenomas, 33 tubular or tubulo-villous adenomas with low grade dysplasia, and 33 infiltrating adenocarcinomas. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed with antibodies targeting markers of endothelial cells (CD31), macrophages (CD-68), neutrophils (CD15), growth factors (HGF), cytokines (IL-6) and up-stream receptors (TLR4). Epithelial, interstitial and endothelial/vascular compartments were chosen for analysis. Staining for (HGF) showed a rapid drop from healthy to pathological conditions, but did not show changes in staining intensity with the different stages of CRC progression. In contrast, the markers for vascularization (CD31) inflammatory cells (CD68, CD15) and inflammation (IL-6 and TLR4) increased in staining intensity as a function of tumor progression as determined by histopathology. IL-6 and TLR4 staining appear to correlate with event-free survival. These data suggest that inflammation increases along with tumor progression, and staining for CD68, CD15, IL-6, and CD31 appear to act as early tumor markers that increase with tumor progression, from precursor entities to invasive CRC. Increased TLR-4 and IL-6 was also found in tumor tissues derived from animals lacking Tir-8, an interleukin-1/Toll-like receptor family member highly expressed in the intestinal mucosa, in the azoxymethane and dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS) model of CRC, confirming that these markers of inflammatory events are associated with colorectal tumor progression.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):A33.
Abstract A36: Bracken fern carcinogen causes cancer in humans
Authors: Shahin Mahmood
Published: May 2012

Bracken fern (genus Pteridium) is the only plant known to cause cancer naturally in animals. In addition to the well recognised syndromes of thiamine deficiency, acute haemorrhage associated with myeloid aplasia and blindness due to retinal degeneration, it causes neoplasia of urinary bladder and in some circumstances oesophagus origin. In addition, it has been shown to cause neoplasia in a wide range of tissues in many experimental species. The major carcinogen has been shown to be ptaquiloside (PT), a norsesquiterpene glucoside that can be present in bracken in extraordinary concentrations, up to 13000 ppm. The highest concentrations were found in the crosiers and young fronds. The mutagenicity, clastogenicity, tetratogenicity and carcinogenicity of PT have been convincingly demonstrated. Under alkaline conditions the loss of the glucose give rise to the formation of a dienone intermediate which possess a highly reactive cyclopropyl ring capable of reacting with cellular macromolecules. Pt has been shown to alkylate DNA at N3 of adenines in the minor groove, preferentially in 5′-TAG and 3′-A in 5′-AA-3′ sequences. It also alkylates N7 guanines in the major groove occurring in 5′-TG sequences. It is believed that these alkylation lead to mismatch repair and subsequent mutations in particular proto-oncogene. Recently a rat model of carcinogenesis has been established using intravenously administrated PT. Some epidemiological evidence has indicated higher risk of cancer in people who consume bracken fern crosiers, people who consume milk of cows feeding on bracken and those live in bracken-infested areas. PT has been found in the milk of cows fed on bracken fern experimentally and the milk of bracken fed cows has been shown to cancer in rats. PT carcinogenesis presents an excellent model of environmental carcinogenesis. More recently it has been found that immunosuppressive effects of bracken fern (P. aquilinum) and that many of the functions that were modulated could contribute to the increased risk of cancer formation in exposed hosts.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):A36.
Abstract A44: Role of HLA-G 14bp insertion deletion in cancer susceptibility and progression
Authors: Abbas Ata , Hussain Syed Rizwan , Naqvi Hena , Fatima Rabab , Babu Sunil G. , Singh Pradyumn , Mahdi Farzana
Published: May 2012

Human leukocyte antigen -G (HLA-G) is an immunosuppressive protein with multiple functions. The 14bp insertion / deletion in exon 8 of HLA-G gene have been shown to play an important role in HLA-G mRNA stability as well as expression level; and can be correlated with its immunosuppressive function. The role of HLA-G in various cancers has already been demonstrated. Cancerous cells start expressing HLA-G which in turn provides a shield for various immune responses. In the present study we have tested the possibility of the role of 14bp insertion / deletion polymorphism of HLA-G in cancer progression and susceptibility. We have genotyped 59 cancer samples (26 benign and 33 malignant) and 79 matched controls for 14bp polymorphism of HLA-G. Data showed increase of +14bp/−14bp and −14bp/−14bp genotype with both benign and malignant cancer. We observed significantly higher frequency of +14bp/+14bp genotype in control (p=0.01). This is consistent with both benign and malignant tumors as well as cancer types showing possibility of protective effect of +14bp/+14bp genotype in various cancers. However, further studies will be required with large sample size to test this hypothesis. The +14bp/−14bp and −14bp/−14bp genotypes have already been showed to be associated with higher expression of HLA-G and its mRNA stability and might be providing favorable micro-environment for cancer progression. There is no published work till date showing the role of HLA-G 14bp polymorphism in various cancers. These preliminary data showed that HLA-G 14-bp genotypes might be playing an important role in pathogenesis of various cancers.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):A44.
Abstract A50: Black raspberry treatment in FAP patients shows re-expression of methylation-silenced genes
Authors: Stoner Kristen M. , Seguin Claire M. , Huang Yi-Wen , Huang Tim , Yang Guang-Yu , Hasson Henrietta , Burke Carol A. , Sardo Christine , Stoner Gary D. , Wang Li-Shu
Published: May 2012

In a clinical trial, we found that freeze-dried black raspberry (BRB) powder reduced the number of rectal polyps in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). The present study was undertaken to determine if the berries influenced the growth and apoptosis of cells in rectal polyps. In addition, because the p16 tumor suppressor gene is inactivated by methylation in greater than 60 percent of colon tumors, we examined the levels of both p16 and of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) expression in normal and polyp specimens. DNMT1 has been shown to be overly expressed in cultured human colon cancer cell lines and this correlated with silencing of the p16 gene. Polyps and normal tissues were obtained from FAP patients before and after 36 weeks of berry treatment. Immunohistochemical staining for Ki-67 and c-MYC showed that cell proliferation was significantly reduced by berry treatment in both normal rectum and in rectal polyps. TUNEL staining for apoptosis was observed to increase significantly in both normal rectum and in rectal polyps. There was a significant decrease in DNMT1 expression and an increase in p16 expression in berry-treated normal and polyp specimens. These results suggest that nine months of black raspberry treatment resulted in reduced cell proliferation, increased apoptosis and p16 gene expression and decreased DNMT1 expression in both normal and polyp specimens taken from FAP patients. The p16/DNMT1 data suggest that black raspberries may act as a demethylating agent and should be further evaluated for their effects on the methylation status of other candidate tumor suppressor genes in colonic polyps and tumors. This research was supported by NCI grant CA103180 and USDA grant 38903-03560.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):A50.
Abstract A52: Characterization of Indian honey and its anticancerous activity against colon cancer
Authors: Mandal Mahitosh , Jaganathan Saravana Kumar
Published: May 2012

Four multifloral honey types from different Indian origin (named as Samples A, B, C and D) were analyzed for their phenolic acids using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HPLC-Mass Spectroscopy analysis revealed that dihydroxy benzoic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid and cinnamic acid were the major phenolic acid constituents of the tested honey. The total antioxidant potential and free radical scavenging ability varied among the honey samples and exhibited a significant correlation with their phenolic content. Further the honey samples were studied for rheology and thermal properties. Controlled shear rate viscometry indicated the Newtonian behavior (a drop in the viscosity as the temperature increases) in the honey samples. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis revealed the inflection transition temperature (Tg) of the honey samples ranged between - 51.40 °C to −30.64 °C. Thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay revealed that the honey samples containing higher phenolic content showed significant antiproliferative effect against colon cancer cells. From the abovesaid experiments, Sample C among the four was found to be better based on its phenolic, antioxidant and antiproliferative effects and chosen for further studies. Honey induced the apoptotic signal via initial depletion of intracellular non protein thiols, consequently reducing the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. P53 up-regulation and modulation of pro and antiapoptotic proteins were observed in the honey induced apoptosis. The work was extended further to study the constituents of honey that induced apoptosis. For this, we screened the antiproliferative effect of some reported phenolic constituents namely p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, gallic acid and eugenol in colon cancer cells. We had selected eugenol based on their better antiproliferative nature and elucidated the mechanism. Eugenol treatment resulted in reduction of intracellular non-protein thiols and increase in the earlier lipid layer break. Further events like dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential and generation of ROS were accompanied in the eugenol-induced apoptosis. Finally we had studied the anticancer activity of honey samples (Samples B and C) and eugenol against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma. We found that Sample C remarkably inhibited the tumor growth by 40 % compared to Sample B (12.17 %) against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma when given 25% v/v intraperitoneally (i/p). We had found eugenol with a dose of 100 mg/Kg showed nearly 29% tumor inhibition.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):A52.
Abstract A64: Chemopreventive potential of Bauhinia variegata against DMBA-induced skin papillomagenesis in Swiss albino mice
Authors: Singh Manju , Kale Raosaheb K.
Published: May 2012

The present study is an attempt to evaluate the cancer chemopreventive potential of Bauhinia variegata bark against DMBA-induced skin papillomagenesis in mice. We investigated chemopreventive effect of three different doses (2%, 4% and 6% w/w) of test diets of bark of B. variegata during DMBA-induced skin papillomagenesis in mice and tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis. Its effect was also studied in a short-term animal protocol on carcinogen metabolizing enzymes in liver.

DMBA and croton oil was used to induce and promote skin papillomagenesis, respectively. Skin papillomagenesis study was done by using three different doses of B. variegata before, during and after the DMBA treatment to mice till termination of the experiment (120 days). In addition, the expression of proliferation [proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), glutathione-S-transferse (GST-π) and apoptosis were analyzed in the skin tumors by immunohistochemistry. For biochemical studies, mice were given with the same doses of B. variegata in the test diet for two weeks. The specific activities/levels of phase-I and phase-II enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase, glutathione content, and peroxidative damage were determined in the liver of the mice.

Results showed a significant reduction in the skin tumors in B. variegata treated animals, as compared to the control group of animals. The tumor incidence in case of control group of animals was 100% whereas it was 90%, 70% and 99% in groups treated with 2%, 4% and 6% test diets, respectively. Tumor multiplicity in control group was 12±3.9 whereas it was reduced to 8±3.7, 3±2.9 and 4±2.4 by the lower, intermediate and higher dose of B. variegata treatment. The dietary administration of three different doses of B. variegata significantly decreased the expression of PCNA, GST-π, Bcl-2 and VEGF and on the other hand significantly increased the expression of Bax and total Caspase 3 as compared to DMBA and croton oil treated group of animals. The effect of 2 weeks of dietary feeding of B. variegata inhibited phase I, activated phase II and antioxidant enzymes in the mouse liver. The content of reduced glutathione was significantly elevated whereas the peroxidative damage and specific activity of lactate dehydrogenase exhibited a significant reduction with all the doses of test diets, respectively.

All these findings were indicative of that Bauhinia variegata has chemopreventive potential against DMBA-induced skin carcinogenesis. It would be of interest to investigate for active cancer chemopreventive agents in Bauhinia variegata for its future implication in cancer prevention and control.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):A64.
Abstract A70: Kava as a lung cancer chemopreventive agent
Authors: Xing Chengguo , Johnson Thomas , Hermanson David , Kassie Fekadu , Upadhyaya Pramod , O'Sullivan Michael , Hecht Stephen
Published: May 2012

Lung cancer is a serious malignancy with high incidence and death. Chemoprevention is a complementary approach to smoking cessation to help control lung cancer. Recently, we reported that kava inhibits 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) plus benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)-induced lung tumorigenesis in A/J mice. In the present study, we examined the dose-dependent lung tumor inhibitory activities of kava and attempted to identify the active constituent(s). Carcinogen-treated mice, dosed eight times with a mixture of NNK plus BaP (2 µmol each) administered by gavage, had 12.2 ± 5.7 lung adenomas per mouse after 26 weeks. Carcinogen-treated mice given diets containing kava at dosages of 1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/g had 8.4 ± 3.5, 6.6 ± 3.5, 4.3 ± 2.4, and 3.8 ± 2.3 lung adenomas per mouse, corresponding to reductions of 31%, 46%, 64%, and 69%, respectively. All reductions were significant (P < 0.05). Flavokawains A, B, and C from kava demonstrated either no or much weaker chemopreventive efficacies, suggesting that they are unlikely to be responsible for the chemopreventive activity of kava. Western blot analyses of lung adenoma tissues and lung cancer cells reveal that kava modulates the NF-kB signaling pathway, a potential mechanism responsible for kava-induced lung cancer chemoprevention.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):A70.
Abstract A75: Bioactive tanshinones in Salvia miltiorrhiza for prostate cancer chemoprevention
Authors: Gong Yi , Li Yanli , Zhou Jin-Rong
Published: May 2012

Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in American men. Current therapeutic approaches have made significant progression in the control of prostate cancer progression. On the other hand, conventional therapeutics have variable efficacies and are usually associated with metastatic recurrence and/or high cytotoxicity. Therefore the search for effective chemopreventive agents with minimal side effects has remained one of the top priorities in prostate cancer research. Some Chinese herbal medicines have been used for centuries, thus certain Chinese medicines with active anti-cancer ingredients may be effective candidates for the prevention and/or treatment of prostate cancer. Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) has been widely adopted in the traditional Chinese medicinal preparations for treatment of cerebrovascular disorders with minimal side effects. We thus evaluated the effects of several major Danshen components, tanshinones IIA (T2A), tanshinone I (T1) and cryptotanshinone (CT) on the growth of prostate cancer cells and identified the potential molecular targets that were responsive to and might be responsible for the treatments. CT, T2A and T1 significantly inhibited the growth of prostate cancer cells with the IC50s at a few Ms associated with cell cycle arrests and apoptosis induction in vitro, whereas their growth inhibition effects on normal prostate epithelial cells were dramatically reduced by 5–10 folds. T1 showed the most potent activity among the three compounds, but the combination of CT and T2A showed synergistic effects against prostate cancer cell growth. The pilot animal study verified that T1 inhibited the growth of DU145 tumors in a dose-dependent manner. By using the real time PCR arrays for epigenetic markers, we identified Aurora A kinase gene as a potential molecular target of tanshinones. Aurora A gene and protein were up-regulated in prostate cancer cell lines when compared with that in the normal cells, and the tanshinone treatments significantly down-regulated its expression. These results demonstrated potent anti-prostate cancer activities of tanshinones and identified Aurora A as a potential molecular target of tanshinones actions. Further in vivo studies of the chemopreventive effects of tanshinones and the CT and T2A combination on prostate cancer development and/or progression are warranted.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):A75.
Abstract A8: Cytogenetic evaluation of human individual radiation sensitivity with the purpose of primary prevention of radiogenic cancer
Authors: Ryabchenko Natalia
Published: May 2012

Background: Rising of cancer incidences in population of Ukraine is connected with the increasing of cancerogenic loading where ionizing radiation has been recognized as a strong cancer causing agent. Today variations in radiation sensitivity between individuals are shown to be genetically determined and connected with the effectiveness of cell signaling system function after exposure to damaging agents. Recent reports have suggested that elevated chromosome aberration yields observed following radiation exposure of peripheral lymphocytes in G2 phase of cell cycle caused by the impaired DNA repair and hereditary predisposition to cancer. The goal of the presented study was to evaluate chromosomal sensitivity of lymphocytes of healthy individuals on the basis of the modified G2-test.

Materials and Methods: Test-system of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of 110 healthy donors with the next metaphase analysis of chromosomal aberrations (chromatid breaks) was used. Test -irradiation of cell cultures was carried out at 1,5 Gy in the late G2-stage. Cells were analyzed in the first mitosis.

Results: The obtained cytogenetic data has revealed high interindividual variability in the levels of radiation induced chromatid breaks (CV = 24%). It was shown that distribution of the examined cytogenetic parameter in the group did not correspond to normal distribution and had bimodal character. Application of variation statistics' methods has revealed existence of two subgroups of donors - with “normal” and “increased” (11,6 % of the group) radiation sensitivity of lymphocytes on chromosomal level.

Taking into account correlations of high radiation-induced genome instability of human somatic cells with cancer predisposition it is competent to relate these individuals with the group of increased radiogenic cancer risk. Application of cytogenetic examinations on the basis of G2-assay is recommended for the formation of groups with the increased radiogenic cancer risk and promotes the efficiency of primary cancer prevention in the cohorts of occupationally exposed individuals.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):A8.
Abstract A90: Reducing colorectal cancer risk among Chinese Americans
Authors: Gor Beverly J. , Forman Michele R. , Hoang TruongSon V. , Hernandez Mike , Jones Lovell A.
Published: May 2012

Colorectal cancer rates are increasing among Chinese Americans, and this trend seems to be reflected among Chinese Americans in Texas. Data from the Texas Cancer Registry indicates that colorectal cancer is among the top three most frequently reported cancers among Chinese Americans. Case control studies among Chinese Americans in other parts of the U.S. suggest that risk factors for colorectal cancer may include high body mass index, inadequate physical activity, low fruit and vegetable consumption, high saturated fat consumption, longer exposure to high fat diet, low fiber diet and tobacco use. The Asian American Health Needs Assessment (AsANA) study collected self reported risk factor data from over 400 Chinese and 400 Vietnamese randomly selected households in the Greater Houston area. The data showed that among Chinese Americans in Houston, 62% reported no leisure time physical activity, 19% were obese, and that as years in the US increased, the percent of Chinese with less than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day increased from 41% to almost 80%. Approximately 34% of Chinese adult males smoked cigarettes as compared to the Texas rate of 20%. The AsANA data also showed that only 25% of the Chinese respondents 50 years and older had had colorectal cancer screening as compared to 53% of Texas adults. Research is needed to identify cultural and access barriers to early detection and screening for colorectal cancer among Chinese Americans in Texas. In addition, culturally tailored educational programs and lifestyle interventions should be developed to educate this population on how to modify behaviors to reduce colorectal cancer risk.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):A90.
Abstract A92: Racial and ethnic distribution of mammography outcomes before age 40
Authors: Kapp Julie M. , Walker Rod , Haneuse Sebastien , Buist Diana S.M. , Yankaskas Bonnie C.
Published: May 2012

Purpose: The probability of a woman developing invasive breast cancer < age 40 is low (<1%). For in situ or invasive cancer, the incidence rate per 100,000 woman-years for African American (AA) and white women, respectively, is 16.8 and 15.1 (Brinton et al, 2008). Yet, 34% of non-Hispanic AA women, 30% of non-Hispanic white women, and 22% of Hispanic women ages 30–39 reported ever having a mammogram from a national population-based sample (Kapp et al, 2009). We describe first mammograms in younger women to investigate racial/ethnic differences (AA, Asian, Hispanic, white) in mammography outcomes.

Methods: Data are pooled from the National Cancer Institute's Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium, a collaborative network of mammography registries created for the purpose of studying performance and outcomes in community practice. We included women ages 18–39, with no prior history of breast cancer, with a first mammogram (screening or diagnostic) between 1996 and 2005. We determined whether a cancer diagnosis (DCIS or invasive) was made within the 12 months following each mammogram and, using standard definitions, classified each mammogram as a true positive (TP), false positive (FP), true negative (TN) or false negative (FN).

Results: Our sample included 73,353 screening mammograms and 26,262 diagnostic mammograms. Our FP results for screening mammograms reflected modest variability across race/ethnicity (10.4–14.1%). AA woman had a TP to total screening mammogram ratio of 1 in 363, compared to 1 in 623 for white women, while the ratio of a FP to total screening mammograms was similar across all racial/ethnic groups (1 in 7–10). Among diagnostic mammograms, the FP variability was greater, ranging from 8.7% for white women to 18.2% for Asian women with an absolute risk difference of a TP of <1% among all racial/ethnic groups.

Conclusions: While the FP rates may vary moderately by race/ethnicity, their impact may vary substantially. Average risk AA women have greater odds than white women of reporting multiple mammograms < age 40 (Kapp et al, 2009); yet ≥40 are less likely to receive adequate mammography screening (Smith-Bindman et al, 2006). Could early mammography testing adversely impact future mammography use? This deserves further study.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):A92.
Abstract A94: Prostate cancer mortality: An evaluation of increasing trend of racial disparity and other factors
Authors: Chen Fan , Eni-Ikeh Nkechi , Bina William
Published: May 2012

Objectives: To understand the increasing trend of racial disparity of prostate cancer in the last three decades and to evaluate the potential impact of social-economic status, early diagnosis, cancer cell differentiation and marital status.

Method: Both prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates as well as case marital status in SEER 9 registration sites were estimated for the period 1973–2006. To stabilize estimation and adjust for social-economic status, we collapsed SEER sites and states, and merged the 200 counties into 20 county groups based on similarity in poverty rates (percentage of population below poverty line).

Results: [1]. The incidence of prostate cancer from 1973 to 2006 increased 74% and 87% for blacks and whites, respectively. During the same time, the mortality rate declined 5% and 25% for blacks and whites, respectively. [2] The incidence rate ratio of black/whites is relatively stable, ranging from 1.4–1.8, but the mortality rate ratio of black/white increased 27%, from 1.85 to 2.34. Regression showed the R2 for the increasing trend of this ratio is 0.91. [3] When we compare the ratio of mortality over incidence, they were 0.40 and 0.35 for blacks and whites in 1973, and declined to 0.22 and 0.14 in 2006, respectively, indicating the survival rate increased for both, but the magnitude of improvement is much larger in whites than in blacks. [4] When we stratified the counties to 20 county groups, we found that there is no trend for incidence or mortality rates associated with the poverty rate increases. [5] There is also no trend of early diagnosis associated with poverty increases in whites or blacks for ages less than 65 or more than 65. Neither regression has R2 larger than 0.06. [6] Among the 20 county groups, only two showed the percent of early diagnosis in blacks lower than in whites with p<0.05. [7] Among the 20 county groups, four showed that a larger percentage of poor differentiated prostate cancer in blacks than in whites, the differences are statistically significant at =0.05 level. [8] The percent of white married cases are 77% and 72% for ages 30–64 and 65 or over, respectively, but the percentage in black counterparts are only 58% and 55%.

Conclusion: The results indicated that [1] The racial mortality disparity increased at 2% per year during 1973 to 2006. This is due to the larger decline of mortality in whites than in blacks. [2] This study does not support the relationship of disparity with social-economic status, early diagnosis or poor differentiation of cancer cells. [3] The percent of married white cases are 33% and 30% higher than that of black counterparts for ages 30–64 years old and 65 and over, respectively. Because married cases showed better survival rates as reported by previous research, the racial disparity may be partly explained by the remarkable difference in married status of prostate cancer cases.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):A94.
Abstract B100: Alcohol consumption and risk of renal cell cancer: The NIH-AARP Diet and Health study
Authors: Lew Jasmine , Hollenbeck Albert , Schatzkin Arthur , Park Yikyung
Published: May 2012

Introduction: There is substantial epidemiologic evidence that alcohol consumption is positively associated with the development of several cancers, notably in the breast, mouth, pharynx and laryngeal. Epidemiologic studies have reported inconsistent findings on the relationship between alcohol consumption and risk of renal cell cancer (RCC), prospective cohort studies have reported statistically non-significant inverse association between alcohol consumption and the risk of RCC. Therefore, we investigated the association between alcohol consumption and RCC in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health study.

Methods: We analyzed 490,159 eligible men (n=292,101) and women (n=198,058) in the prospective NIH-AARP Diet and Health study. At baseline, we assessed alcohol and other nutrient intakes with a food frequency questionnaire, and collected data on demographics, lifestyle, and medical history. We used Cox proportional hazards models to calculate relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusting for age, race, height, body mass index (BMI), marriage status, physical activity, smoking history, history of diabetes and hypertension, and intakes of protein and energy.

Results: During an average of 7 years of follow-up, we identified 1,106 cases of RCC: 811 were men, 295 were women. 21% of the men and 30% of the women did not drink alcohol. The percentage of current smokers increased with amount of alcohol consumed for both sexes. Alcohol was inversely associated with risk of RCC. Per 10g/day increment, RR was 0.96 (95% CI:0.93–0.99). There was a significant interaction by sex. Alcohol showed a null association with RCC in men: the multivariate RR (95%CI) was 0.96 (0.93–1.00) for every 10g increase in alcohol consumption per day. The findings were similar for different alcoholic beverage types. The multivariate RR (95%CI) was 0.95 (0.90–1.00) for every 1 serving of beer per day, 1.05 (0.94–1.16) for every 1 serving of wine per day, and 0.96 (0.92–1.01) for every 1 serving of liquor per day. However, alcohol showed an inverse association with RCC in women: the multivariate RR (95%) was 0.60 (0.45–0.80) for every 10g increase in alcohol consumption per day. The multivariate RR (95%CI) was 0.85 (0.53–1.38) for every 1 serving of beer per day, 0.40 (0.22–0.74) for every 1 serving of wine per day, and 0.68 (0.45–1.01) for every 1 serving of liquor per day. There was no significant alcohol-renal cell cancer interactions observed with BMI, smoking or oral contraceptives.

Conclusion: Alcohol consumption is inversely associated with the risk of renal cell cancer only in women.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):B100.
Abstract B104: A meta-analysis of fresh and pickled vegetable consumption and gastric cancer in Japanese and Korean populations
Authors: Kim Jeongseon , Kim Hyun-Ja , Park Sohee , Shin Aesun , Choi Bo Youl , Shimazu Taichi ,   Section Head Inoue, Tsugane Shoichiro
Published: May 2012

It is widely known that vegetable consumption contributes to reducing the risk of gastric cancer (GC). However, the incidence rates of GC remain high in both Japanese and Korean populations, although they have a high consumption of total vegetables. It may be due to the fact that Japanese and Koreans mainly consume processed vegetables, such as cooked, salted, or pickled vegetables, rather than fresh vegetables. To determine whether the intakes of fresh and pickled vegetables have different effects on the risk of GC in Japanese and Korean populations, we conducted a meta-analysis of the epidemiological literature. Eight studies on the consumption of fresh vegetables and 14 studies on the consumption of pickled vegetables related to GC risk were included in this meta-analysis. Four studies exploring differences in GC risk in men and women were considered separately. We observed that a high intake of fresh vegetables was significantly associated with a decreased risk of GC (overall summary OR=0.62, 95% CI=0.46–0.85) but that a high intake of pickled vegetables was significantly associated with an increased risk of GC (overall summary OR=1.28, 95% CI=1.06–1.53). The results of this meta-analysis provide evidence that a high intake of pickled vegetables may increase GC risk and suggest that a high consumption of fresh vegetables, rather than a large total amount of vegetables including pickled vegetables, is important to reduce GC risk.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):B104.
Abstract B131: Geographic variation and the role of small-area socioeconomic deprivation in colorectal cancer survival: A multilevel analysis of the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study
Authors: Lian Min , Schootman Mario , Doubeni Chyke , Laiyemo Adeyinka O. , Park Yikyung , Schatzkin Arthur
Published: May 2012

Background: Low-income persons have lower colorectal cancer (CRC) survival, but little is known about area socioeconomic deprivation on CRC survival. In this study, we examined geographic variation, the role of area-level socioeconomic deprivation in CRC survival and potential mechanisms linking neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation to CRC survival using the large, geographically dispersed, population-based NIH-AARP Diet and Health study cohort.

Methods: In the NIH-AARP Diet and Health study cohort, 7024 CRC cases identified in 1995–2003 were followed for their CRC-specific vital status through 2005. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot CRC-specific survival curve. An area-level deprivation score was developed using common factor analysis based on 21 census tract-level socioeconomic variables. Multilevel survival models were fitted to determine the extent of the small-area variation and the effect of area deprivation on survival. Six groups of individual factors, including cancer characteristics, sociodemographics, health conditions, health-related behaviors, Mediterranean dietary pattern and self-rated health, were examined to explore potential mediating pathways by which neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation exerted its influence on CRC survival.

Results: There was significant geographic variation in CRC survival (variance: 0.25 – 0.30, median hazard ratio: 1.61 – 1.68, interquartile hazard ratio: 3.19 – 3.52). CRC survival was significantly lower in areas with higher socioeconomic deprivation compared to areas with the lowest socioeconomic deprivation (hazard ratio [HR] for the second least vs. least deprivation quartile: 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06 – 1.43; the second most vs. least deprivation quartile: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.05 – 1.44; the most vs. least deprivation quartile: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.05 – 1.44). Individual factors investigated partially explained the effect of area socioeconomic deprivation (adjusted HR for the second least vs. least deprivation quartile: 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02 – 1.41; the second most vs. least deprivation quartile: 1.14, 95% CI: 0.96 – 1.34; the most vs. least deprivation quartile: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.91 – 1.29).

Conclusions: Small-area geographic variation in CRC survival was present. Interventions to improve CRC survival should target patients living in socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods. Future studies should further investigate the exact mechanisms between neighborhood deprivation and CRC survival to maximize their effect of prevention and control.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):B131.
Abstract B136: Early age at menarche in Mexican American girls: Psychosocial risk factors
Authors: Jean Rosenie Thelus , Wilkinson Anna V. , Forman Michele , Spitz Margaret R.
Published: May 2012

An earlier age at menarche is a risk factor for breast cancer and national statistics indicate that girls of Mexican American descent are continuing to experience a decline in the average age at menarche from 12.4 to 12.0 years. While there is a large body of literature on the factors influencing an early age at menarche in non-Hispanic whites, limited data have been collected on psychosocial and maternal factors contributing to earlier age at menarche among Mexican American girls. Using data from a longitudinal prospective study of smoking initiation among youth of Mexican origin in Houston, Texas, we investigate the role of family life environment, parental marital status and socioeconomic status on age at menarche, after adjustment for recognized covariates such as maternal age at menarche and body mass of the index.

Participants (N = 540 girls) in this study were aged 9–13 years at baseline, when information on family life environment and anthropometric measurements were collected. At the final follow-up home visit three years later, data on age at menarche was self-reported while information about education, house ownership and marital status were obtained from the mother of each girl.

Using multiple logistic regression analysis, we calculated the odds ratio of specific psychosocial exposures among girls who started menarche early (<12 years) compared to those who started at a later/normal age (≥12 years). Overall, the mean age at menarche was 11.65 years with more than 40% of the girls starting menarche at 11 years or younger. After adjusting for age, body mass index and mother's age at menarche, we found no relationship between maternal education, household ownership, girls' perception of their family life environment as conflict-prone, cohesive, authoritarian, expressive or laissez-faire and age at menarche. In contrast, there was a 2-fold increase in the odds of early menarche among girls whose parents were single heads of households compared to those whose parents were married (OR: 2.03; CI: 1.07–3.87).

The mean age at menarche of 11.63 years in our population was younger then previous reports among nationally representative samples of Mexican American girls. In addition, our study provides important information regarding the role of family structure (marital status) on age at menarche and identifies a factor—single parenting—that is a marker for girls who enter menarche early. Although additional research is needed to corroborate our findings, awareness of the impact of fathers' absence and their involvement in their daughters' lives during the early years should be emphasized when addressing factors contributing to age at menarche.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):B136.
Abstract B144: Role of curcuma longa in de-addiction of tobacco chewers and chronic smokers: A pilot study on precancerous and frank oropharyngeal cancer patients
Authors: Dastidar Anjana Basu Ghosh , Dastidar Aloke Ghosh , Chakroborty Indranil
Published: May 2012

Objectives: Smoking and tobacco leaf chewing are important predisposing factors of oral cancer. Chronic tobacco users are so much addicted that they are unable to get rid of their habits even after developing frank oral cavity cancers. Personal and psychological counseling, life style modifications have failed to de-addict these individuals. Serum nicotine level falls sharply and provokes them for further use of tobacco to keep sustained level of nicotine in blood. It has been observed that chewing of Indian medicinal plant root curcuma longa (turmeric, haldi) or its active ingredients curcumin is effective to de-addict tobacco users. Present paper is a pilot study to translate these clinical findings into scientifically explained observations.

Methods: Patients with pre-cancerous lesions or oro-pharyngeal cancers with habits of chronic smoking or tobacco chewing were recruited for the study. The study conducted between September 2003 to August 2005 in collaboration with Department of Biochemistry and Radiotherapy, Medical College, Calcutta. Of total 256 patients (132 in control arm and 124 in study arm); M: F = 90:10; 196/256 (75%) were smokers and others were tobacco chewers. Serum nicotine level estimated at monthly interval for three months. Study arm patients were given simultaneously curcuma longa for consecutive three months and serum nicotine level was compared with control arm. Addiction potentiality was recorded by our counselor.

Results: Control arm patients had the same addiction dependency as before but amongst study arm patients (n=132) 84/132 (63.6%) completely gave up smoking or tobacco chewing. 19 patients (14.3%) dropped smoking less than 10 cigarettes per day and 14 patients (10.6%) tobacco chewing decreased from 10-times to less than 2-times per day. The difference is statistically significant.

Conclusion: Initial result of our ongoing study is very much encouraging. The details of the present study will be discussed at the time of presentation.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):B144.
Abstract B15: Measuring medical mistrust at Dia de la Mujer Latina health fiestas
Authors: Gines Venus M. , Pena Gabriela
Published: May 2012

Mistrust of research and the medical system is a frequent barrier to participation in clinical trials. However, there is a paucity of data on how medical mistrust serves as a barrier to participation in clinical research among Latinas from various Latin American ethnic groups. Culturally, Latina women are the key decision makers when it comes to healthcare. Therefore, this study focused on Latinas who attended three Dia de la Mujer Latina (DML) health fiestas.

Methods: Promotoras de Salud (community health workers) were trained to present a bilingual Medical Abuse and Medical Mistrust Awareness Survey (MAMMAS©), culturally translated, to Latinas from 18 years of age and older at 3 DML Health Fiestas events (Puerto Rico, Houston,Texas and Miami, Florida). MAMMAS© is innovative because it breaks down their perception of the medical institutions as well as their knowledge of clinical research, the HPV vaccine and the well-documented medical abuse historical cases. Questions captured demographics, insurance coverage, assimilation, acculturation, knowledge of preventive screenings for breast and cervical cancer, understanding and perception of clinical trials, awareness of historical medical abuse, mistrust of medical providers, their insights about barriers to obtaining these cancer screenings; and if the barrier of mistrust would hinder them from participating in a clinical research or clinical trial.

Conclusions: The results of the MAMMAS survey will emphasize the need for more research on this topic. There were a total of 357 participants who completed the survey, however, there were 527 who began the process but did not complete due to their confusion with the response scale.

201 Survey respondents were conscious of the importance of cancer screening, but expressed fear as a major barrier.

294 Survey respondents believed that mistrust plays a key role in their participation into clinical trials.

253 Survey respondents felt that patients may have been deceived or misled by healthcare organizations

204 Survey respondents stated that mistakes are usually covered up by healthcare organizations.

227 Survey respondents believed that healthcare organization have experimented on patients w/o their knowledge.

269 Survey respondents were aware of some form of medical abuse that occurred.

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):B15.
Abstract B17: Impact of behavior modification for tobacco usage in patients with a diagnosis of high-risk oral lesion
Authors: Tam Darlene M. , Currie Brenda , Zhang Lewei , Rosin Miriam P. , Poh Catherine F.Y.
Published: May 2012

Background: With tobacco and alcohol risk behaviors contributing to about three-quarters of cases, oral cancer is recognized as a preventable disease. Continuous smoking after treatment for high-risk oral lesions (HRLs) is associated with recurrence risk. However, there is little known about the impact of smoking behavioral changes in patients diagnosed with HRLs or their barriers for tobacco cessation.

Objectives: 1) To collect pilot data regarding tobacco-related behavioral changes prior to and after the diagnosis of an HRL, and 2) To identify possible facilitators and barriers in tobacco cessation.

Methods: A survey-type questionnaire is being developed for collecting data on smoking behaviors and cessation barriers. To avoid recall bias, patients with ever-smoking histories within 5 years of the diagnosis of an HRL are invited to participate in the study. A pilot cohort (N=25) has been interviewed to develop a refined questionnaire for a larger scale study.

Results: Initial results show that all patients interviewed have a general understanding of the associations between tobacco consumption and its consequences on health. Of 25 patients recruited, there were 16 (64%) males and the average age is 55 ± 6.3 years. Ten (40%) have successfully quit after the diagnosis of an HRL and 6 (24%) expressed the intention to quit; while 6 (24%) have not made a decision regarding tobacco cessation and surprisingly, 3 (12%) have no intention of ceasing their tobacco habits even with a diagnosis of an HRL. All but 2 patients have experienced difficulty in tobacco cessation and 16 (64%) of them experienced smoking recurrence after their attempts to quit. The identified cessation barriers are mainly stress (‘smoking is a way to relax’, 64%) and smoking enjoyment (56%). The HRL diagnosis is the strongest message for the patients who quit successfully.

Conclusion: Incorporation of an open-ended interview questionnaire allows for better understanding of smoking behaviors and complex cessation barriers in patients with HRLs. The barriers to tobacco cessation appear to be more psychosocial in nature, i.e., stress and smoking enjoyment. There is a need to develop effective intervention strategies targeting these individuals to improve tobacco cessation success, and consequently, reduce the risk of HRL recurrence. (Supported by research grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, and BC Cancer Foundation. DMT is supported by the Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarships administered by CIHR.)

Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):B17.