Cancer Epidemiology Unit

About: Cancer Epidemiology Unit is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Cancer. The organization has 669 authors who have published 1725 publications receiving 93979 citations.

Evaluating access to pediatric cancer care centers of children and adolescents with rare tumors in Italy: the TREP project.

Abstract: Rare malignant pediatric tumors are essentially orphan diseasesand make up a variety of neoplasms with particular biological andclinicalcharacteristics.Someofthesetumorsarerareatanyage,butmost are particularly rare in childhood and adolescence [1].In 2000, a nationwide Italian cooperative project, called theTREP (Tumori Rari in Eta` Pediatrica or Rare Tumours in PediatricAge) project, was launched in Italy under the auspices of theAssociazione Italiana Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica (AIEOP),and in cooperation with the Societa` Italiana Chirurgia Pediatrica(SICP) to improve basic research on these tumors and their clinicalmanagement. The project aimed to establish a network of pediatricand adult oncologists, surgeons, pathologists and biologists, to poolclinical data, and develop diagnostic and therapeutic recommenda-tions for each of these rare tumors [2].As a first step, the TREP group gave an arbitrary but pragmaticdefinition of ‘‘rare pediatric tumors,’’ defining them as solidmalignancies characterized by annual incidence rates of less than2 per million children (0–14 years) and not enrolled in specificclinical trials. The list included: nasopharyngeal carcinoma,adrenocortical tumors, pleuro-pulmonary blastoma (and other lungtumors), carcinoid tumors, cutaneous melanoma, renal carcinoma,pancreatoblastoma (and other pancreatic exocrine tumors), gonadalnon-germ-cell tumors (ovary/testis), pheochromocytoma and para-ganglioma, thyroid carcinoma, salivary gland tumors, breastcarcinoma, carcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract, and carcinomaof the thymus [2]. Therefore, the list excluded entities as renalrhabdoid tumors, that are registered in the national Wilms study;hepatoblastomaandmalignantgermcelltumors,thathavetheirownprotocols; rare histotypes of soft part sarcomas, that are covered bythe cooperative study on soft tissue sarcomas, as well as rare bonetumors; and other tumors whose incidence parallels that of rarepediatric tumors butwere already included in clinical trials. Centralnervous system tumors and hematological malignancies wereexcluded from the TREP list.TheTREPgrouphasalreadypublishedareportonitsfirst6yearsof activity. Here, we compare the number of these rare pediatrictumors expected to be diagnosed in Italy (based on incidence datafrom Italian network of well-established population-based cancerregistries [AIRTum]) [3] and the number of patients enrolled in theTREP project between 2000 and 2006, with a view to appraisingthe nationwide diffusion and efficacy of the TREP project. Thestudy analyzed the differences in the patterns of referral of children(0–14 years old) and adolescents less than 18 years (15–17 yearsold) with rare malignant tumors.

A Large-Scale Analysis of Genetic Variants within Putative miRNA Binding Sites in Prostate Cancer.

Abstract: Free to read Prostate cancer is the second most common malignancy among men worldwide. Genome-wide association studies have identified 100 risk variants for prostate cancer, which can explain approximately 33% of the familial risk of the disease. We hypothesized that a comprehensive analysis of genetic variations found within the 3' untranslated region of genes predicted to affect miRNA binding (miRSNP) can identify additional prostate cancer risk variants. We investigated the association between 2,169 miRSNPs and prostate cancer risk in a large-scale analysis of 22,301 cases and 22,320 controls of European ancestry from 23 participating studies. Twenty-two miRSNPs were associated (P<2.3×10(-5)) with risk of prostate cancer, 10 of which were within 7 genes previously not mapped by GWAS studies. Further, using miRNA mimics and reporter gene assays, we showed that miR-3162-5p has specific affinity for the KLK3 rs1058205 miRSNP T-allele, whereas miR-370 has greater affinity for the VAMP8 rs1010 miRSNP A-allele, validating their functional role. SIGNIFICANCE Findings from this large association study suggest that a focus on miRSNPs, including functional evaluation, can identify candidate risk loci below currently accepted statistical levels of genome-wide significance. Studies of miRNAs and their interactions with SNPs could provide further insights into the mechanisms of prostate cancer risk.

A combination of plasma phospholipid fatty acids and its association with incidence of type 2 diabetes: The EPIC-InterAct case-cohort study.

Abstract: Background Combinations of multiple fatty acids may influence cardiometabolic risk more than single fatty acids. The association of a combination of fatty acids with incident type 2 diabetes (T2D) ...

Methodological issues in international comparison of interval breast cancers.

Abstract: International comparisons of interval cancers (IC) are important to better understand the relationship between programmes' performance and screening practices. In this respect, differences in (i) definition, (ii) identification and (iii) quantification of IC have received little attention. To examine these 3 comparability issues and activities involving IC, an assessment was conducted among member countries of the International Breast Cancer Screening Network, and the impact of accuracy of identification and quantification practices was estimated using 1996-98 data from the Dutch breast cancer screening programme. Information was obtained from 19 screening programmes in 18 countries, 16 of which acknowledged the coexistence of opportunistic screening. IC data were collected to evaluate performance of the screening programme (100% of programmes) and the radiologists (89%); 53% of programmes had a designated review process for IC. Most programmes (84%) agreed with the European Guidelines definition of IC, but a case situation exercise evidenced substantial discrepancy in classification of cancers that occurred after a positive screen. Completeness of identification of IC appears to contribute most to international variation, and cannot be easily controlled for in methodologically rigorous comparisons. Statistically significant differences of about 4% were measured between quantification methods for IC. An operational definition of IC is proposed to enhance international comparability. Valid comparisons of IC are possible with careful attention to the definition but true differences in IC frequency across screening programmes should exceed 10% to be possibly indicative of real differences between programmes.