Gene-Nutrient Interactions and Breast Cancer

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Susan Steck-Scott, PhD, MPH, RD is a research assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Through this Career Development Award, she is seeking training in molecular epidemiology and cancer survivorship to complement her strong background in the nutritional sciences and cancer prevention. Dr. Steck-Scott's primary mentor for this proposal, Dr. Marilie Gammon, is a renowned breast cancer epidemiologist with extensive experience in mentoring young investigators. In addition, Drs. Lisa Carey, Robert Millikan, Michael Schell and Fred Wright are well established investigators in their fields and have agreed to be co-mentors on this project. Training will include coursework and workshops in ethics, molecular epidemiology, carcinogenesis, pharmacology, and biostatistics, as well as a laboratory experience to learn the techniques of genotyping. This training will help the candidate to develop a unique niche in the cancer research community and establish an independent research program in the area of gene-nutrient interactions in cancer prevention and control. The primary focus of the award is a research project to examine the interaction between cruciferous vegetable intake and polymorphisms in genes encoding metabolizing enzymes in breast cancer prevention, recurrence and survival. The proposed research capitalizes on dietary data, urine and blood samples available from an already conducted population-based, case-control study, the Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project of which Dr. Gammon is the Principal Investigator. Breast cancer subjects are currently being followed up for recurrence and survival status. The specific aims of the research are 1) to examine the associations between cruciferous vegetable intake, urinary isothiocyanate (ITC) excretion, and polymorphisms in GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 in control subjects to determine whether having the non-null or active genotype for GSTM1, GSTT1 and/or GSTP 1 results in increased urinary excretion of ITC; and 2) to examine the interaction between cruciferous vegetable consumption and polymorphisms in GSTM 1, GSTT 1, GSTP 1 and CYP 1A 1 in relation to breast cancer risk in a large population-based case-control study; and 3) to examine the interaction in relation to breast cancer recurrence and survival in a follow-up study of the cases. This study represents a unique opportunity to examine whether cruciferous vegetables are modifying the effect of genetic polymorphisms in breast cancer prevention, recurrence and survival. By identifying those individuals who may be genetically more susceptible to the benefits of cruciferous vegetable intake, future and ongoing interventions may become more effective by being targeted to those people who will receive the most benefit.