International Agency for Research on Cancer

About: International Agency for Research on Cancer is a government organization based out in Lyon, France. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Cancer & Population. The organization has 2989 authors who have published 9010 publications receiving 929752 citations. The organization is also known as: IARC.

Diversity of dietary patterns observed in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) project.

Abstract: Objective: To describe the diversity in dietary patterns existing across centres/regions participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). Design and setting: Single 24-hour dietary recall measurements were obtained by means of standardised face-to-face interviews using the EPIC-SOFT software. These have been used to present a graphic multi-dimensional comparison of the adjusted mean consumption of 22 food groups. Subjects: In total, 35 955 men and women, aged 35–74 years, participating in the EPIC nested calibration study. Results: Although wide differences were observed across centres, the countries participating in EPIC are characterised by specific dietary patterns. Overall, Italy and Greece have a dietary pattern characterised by plant foods (except potatoes) and a lower consumption of animal and processed foods, compared with the other EPIC countries. France and particularly Spain have more heterogeneous dietary patterns, with a relatively high consumption of both plant foods and animal products. Apart from characteristics specific to vegetarian groups, the UK ‘health-conscious’ group shares with the UK general population a relatively high consumption of tea, sauces, cakes, soft drinks (women), margarine and butter. In contrast, the diet in the Nordic countries, The Netherlands, Germany and the UK general population is relatively high in potatoes and animal, processed and sweetened/refined foods, with proportions varying across countries/centres. In these countries, consumption of vegetables and fruit is similar to, or below, the overall EPIC means, and is low for legumes and vegetable oils. Overall, dietary patterns were similar for men and women, although there were large gender differences for certain food groups. Conclusions: There are considerable differences in food group consumption and dietary patterns among the EPIC study populations. This large heterogeneity should be an advantage when investigating the relationship between diet and cancer and formulating new aetiological hypotheses related to dietary patterns and disease.

Pooled Analysis and Meta-analysis of Glutathione S-Transferase M1 and Bladder Cancer: A HuGE Review

Abstract: Smoking is a known risk factor for bladder cancer. The product of the GSTM1 gene, glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1), is involved in the detoxification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in tobacco smoke; a homozygous deletion of this gene in approximately 50% of Caucasians and Asians results in a lack of GSTM1 enzyme activity. Most studies examining the relation between bladder cancer and GSTM1 have reported an increased risk associated with a lack of GSTM1 activity. The authors performed meta- and pooled analyses of published and unpublished, case-control, genotype-based studies that examined this association (17 studies, 2,149 cases, 3,646 controls) and excluded studies conducted in populations with a high prevalence of exposure to known bladder cancer risk factors other than tobacco smoke. Using random effects models in the meta-analysis, the authors obtained a summary odds ratio of 1.44 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.23, 1.68) for GSTM1 null status with all studies included. Results from studies with at least 100 cases and 100 controls produced a summary odds ratio of 1.42 (95% CI: 1.26, 1.60). Pooled analyses using original data sets from 10 studies (1,496 cases and 1,444 controls) and adjusting for age, sex, and race produced similar results. There was no evidence of multiplicative interaction between the GSTM1 null genotype and ever smoking in relation to bladder cancer, although there was a suggestion of additive interaction (additive interaction = 0.45, 95% CI: -0.03, 0.93). These results indicate that, among populations studied to date, GSTM1 null status is associated with a modest increase in the risk of bladder cancer.

A road map for efficient and reliable human genome epidemiology.

Abstract: Networks of investigators have begun sharing best practices, tools and methods for analysis of associations between genetic variation and common diseases. A Network of Investigator Networks has been set up to drive the process, sponsored by the Human Genome Epidemiology Network. A workshop is planned to develop consensus guidelines for reporting results of genetic association studies. Published literature databases will be integrated, and unpublished data, including 'negative' studies, will be captured by online journals and through investigator networks. Systematic reviews will be expanded to include more meta-analyses of individual-level data and prospective meta-analyses. Field synopses will offer regularly updated overviews.

Second malignancies following testicular cancer, ovarian cancer and Hodgkin's disease: an international collaborative study among cancer registries.

Abstract: Eleven population-based cancer registries tabulated second cancers among 133,411 patients diagnosed with testicular cancer, ovarian cancer or Hodgkin's disease between 1945 and 1984 Overall, 3,157 second cancers were observed, as compared with 2,420 expected at least one year after the first cancer Survivors of testicular and ovarian cancer experienced 30% and 20% more cancers respectively than the general population comparison group, and patients previously diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease had an 80% excess of cancer No information was available either on treatment for the first cancer, or other risk factors However, temporal patterns in the risk of specific second cancers were analysed, with particular reference to the possible role of therapy for the first cancer Leukaemia of the acute or non-lymphatic type, which has been previously linked to alkylating agent therapy, occurred in excess following all 3 first cancers, as did non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (overall relative risks of 61 and 18 respectively, with considerably higher relative risks following Hodgkin's disease) Other cancers for which important and plausibly therapy-induced excesses occurred were lung cancer following Hodgkin's disease (relative risk 19), breast cancer following Hodgkin's disease (relative risk 14) and bladder cancer following ovarian cancer and Hodgkin's disease (relative risks 17 and 22 in women, respectively) Rarer sites at which striking excesses occurred were the salivary gland, thyroid, bone and connective tissue There were smaller, but clear excesses for cancers of the rectum and colon following ovarian cancer and testicular cancer, skin cancer following Hodgkin's disease, and kidney cancer following ovarian cancer Overdiagnosis, misclassification of metastases and confounding by other risk factors were all considered as explanations of observed excesses Nonetheless, it appeared that there are clear excess risks for cancers other than acute leukaemia which must be ascribed to therapy for the first cancer, especially in view of the possible under-reporting in registry material Case-control studies are under way to provide information on the role of specific aspects of therapy