Takeshi Suzuki

A recent whole‐genome association study identified a strong association between polymorphisms in the prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) gene and stomach cancer risk. In this case‐control study, we aimed to validate this association, and further to explore environmental factors possibly interacting with PSCA polymorphisms in 708 incident stomach cancer cases and 708 age–sex matched controls. The association between PSCA polymorphisms and Helicobacter pylori infection was also examined. We found that rs2294008 and rs2976392, which were strongly linked to each other (D′ = 1.00), were significantly associated with stomach cancer risk. Per allele odds ratio for rs2994008 was 1.40 (95% confidence interval: 1.19–1.65; p = 3.7 × 10⁻⁵). We found significant interaction with a family history of stomach cancer in first‐degree relatives (p‐heterogeneity = 0.009). Similar to originally reported association, we found significant heterogeneity between diffuse and intestinal type (p‐heterogeneity = 0.007). No association was seen between PSCA polymorphisms and H. pylori infection. In conclusion, PSCA polymorphisms are associated with stomach cancer risk in Japanese. A possible interaction with family history warrants further evaluation. © 2009 UICC

The possible association of high soy food consumption with low incidence of breast cancer in Asian countries has been widely investigated, but findings from epidemiologic studies have been inconsistent. Breast cancers defined by receptor status, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) may have distinct etiologic factors. Here, we conducted a case–control study to clarify associations between intake of soybean products and breast cancer risk according to receptor status. A total of 678 breast cancer cases and 3,390 age‐ and menopausal status‐matched noncancer controls were included. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using conditional logistic models adjusted for potential confounders. On analysis according to receptor status, we observed a significantly reduced risk of ER‐positive (ER+) (top tertile OR = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.58–0.94; trend p = 0.01) and HER2‐negative (HER2−) tumors (top tertile OR = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.61–0.99; trend p = 0.04). Further, when the 3 receptors were jointly examined, a reduced risk was observed only in patients with ER+/PR+/HER2− tumor (top tertile OR = 0.73; 95% CI, 0.54–0.97; trend p = 0.03). These findings indicate that the protective effect of soy against breast cancer risk differs by receptor status.

Effect of anthropometric factors at adolescence and the change since young age on thyroid cancer risk is unclear. Here, we conducted a case–control study to investigate the association between anthropometric factors at the time of diagnosis and age 20 years and risk of thyroid cancer. A total of 173 patients with thyroid cancer (papillary carcinoma, n = 167 and follicular carcinoma, n = 6) and 865 age- and sex-matched controls were included. Anthropometric factors were assessed using a validated self-administered questionnaire and categorized into three groups. Odd ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using conditional logistic models adjusted for potential confounders. Results showed a positive association between current weights, weight at age 20 years and height, and thyroid cancer risk. Adjusted ORs in the top tertiles were 2.46 (95% CI, 1.54–3.94; trend p < 0.001) for current weight, 2.69 (95% CI, 1.71–4.25; trend p < 0.001) for weight at age 20 years and 2.44 (95% CI, 1.52–3.93; trend p < 0.001) for height compared with the lowest tertile. A positive association with current body surface area (BSA), BSA at age 20 years, and current body mass index was also observed, with respective adjusted ORs in the top tertile of 1.96 (95% CI, 1.23–3.11; trend p = 0.007), 1.82 (95% CI, 1.15–2.88; trend p = 0.007) and 1.71 (95% CI, 1.06–2.78; trend p = 0.034). In contrast, no association with risk was seen for a change in anthropometric factors since age 20 years. These findings suggested that body size in early life as well as in adult is associated with an increased risk of thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND: Inherited genetic predispositions are important risk factors for the development of cancer in general. To determine genetic susceptibility for 14 common cancers, a case–control study of the impact of a family history of cancer in first‐degree relatives was conducted. The authors further evaluated the effect modification by habitual smoking with adjustment for other confounding environmental factors.METHODS: In total, 18,836 cancer cases and 28,125 age–matched and sex–matched controls, confirmed as being free of cancer, were recruited. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were determined by multiple logistic regression analysis, including stratification by family history for 14 cancer sites and interactions with a smoking history.RESULTS: The associations between family history and risk of cancer were generally stronger at the same sites than across cancer sites. Risks to first‐degree relatives at the same sites were found to be significantly elevated with 8 of 14 cancer sites; especially high ORs were found for prostate and thyroid cancers. Some across‐site associations were observed; in particular, a reciprocal association between breast and prostate cancer was found. The interaction between family history and smoking history for breast cancer was found to be statistically significant. There was no statistical evidence for the interactions in other sites, but among subjects with a family history, the ORs were found to be higher in smokers compared with nonsmokers.CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study support the hypothesis of a genetic susceptibility to cancers in family members. For breast cancer, the interaction between family history and smoking history was observed to be significant. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.

Several intervention trials and prospective studies have reported that β‐carotene supplementation is not associated with a decreased risk of several cancers among smokers and drinkers, and that it may even have adverse effects in these groups. The relationship between dietary antioxidant intake and the risk of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has been examined intensively, but little is known about the effects of antioxidants on HNSCC with respect to smoking and drinking habits. Here, we conducted a case‐control study of 385 histologically confirmed cases of HNSCC (193 oral, 132 pharyngeal and 60 laryngeal), excluding nasal and paranasal cancer, and 1925 age‐matched and sex‐matched cancer‐free outpatient controls using data from the Hospital‐based Epidemiologic Research Program at Aichi Cancer Center, Japan. The intake of nutrients and food groups was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire, and multivariate‐adjusted odds ratios for cancer were estimated for smoking and drinking habits using logistic models. The results showed an overall inverse association between the intake of dietary antioxidants, including carotene, and vitamins C and E, and risk of HNSCC. The protective effect of these antioxidants was seen in both men and women. High consumption of antioxidants was associated with a decreased risk of HNSCC among smokers, drinkers and those with both smoking and drinking habits. These findings suggest that dietary antioxidant intake prevents HNSCC in smokers and drinkers. (Cancer Sci 2006; 97: 760–767)