Molecular Epidemiologic Studies Within the Selenium
and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT)

This section is compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to:    Frankp@chiro.org

FROM:   Cancer Causes Control 2001 (Sep); 12 (7): 627–633

Hoque A, Albanes D, Lippman SM, Spitz MR, Taylor PR, Klein EA, Thompson IM,
Goodman P, Stanford JL, Crowley JJ, Coltman CA, Santella RM

Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention,
University of Texas M. D.
Anderson Cancer Center,
Houston 77030, USA

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OBJECTIVE:   To conduct timely epidemiologic investigations of molecular/genetic markers that may contribute to the development of prostate, lung, colorectal, or other cancers within the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT), and to evaluate interactions between these markers and the study interventions.

METHODS:   The epidemiologic studies within SELECT will be based on 32,400 men aged 55 years or older (age 50 or older for the African-American men) enrolled into an intergroup, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, phase III prevention trial of supplemental selenium and vitamin E developed and funded by the National Cancer Institute, and coordinated by the Southwest Oncology Group. During the 12-year study period approximately 1500-2000 cases of prostate cancer, 800 lung cancers, and 500 colon cancers are estimated to be diagnosed, based on data from the ongoing Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial of finasteride. A modified fasting blood sample will be processed to collect plasma for analysis of micronutrients, hormones, cytokines, and other proteins. Buffy-coat derived white blood cells collected at baseline will be used for isolation of DNA and establishment of immortalized cell lines. Red blood cells will be stored for analysis of hemoglobin adducts and other components.

RESULTS:   Specific results anticipated from these molecular studies will provide information on factors hypothesized to contribute to prostate cancer risk and that may modify the efficacy of either trial supplement, including: steroid sex hormones and several polymorphic genes that encode proteins affecting androgenic stimulation of the prostate, including the androgen receptor, steroid 5alpha-reductase type II, CYP17, and beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; polymorphisms of DNA repair genes and carcinogen metabolism genes, including those involved in the activation of chemical carcinogens to reactive intermediates (e.g., CYP1A1) or the detoxification of reactive intermediates (e.g., glutathione S-transferase M1); DNA and protein adducts; and insulin-like growth factors and leptin.

CONCLUSION:   SELECT offers an excellent opportunity to conduct molecular epidemiologic investigations to assess gene-environment interactions and their role in prostate, lung, and colon carcinogenesis.

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Return to VITAMIN E

Since 12-07-2001