Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Colorectal cancer is an evolving public health problem worldwide, estimated as the third most common cancer and fourth-leading cause of cancer deaths. The disease arises through complex interactions between the genetic and non-genetic (environmental) influences. Epidemiologic evidence suggests the importance of a genetic pathway related to blood vessel growth, a fundamental step in tumor development, known as angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to identify genes on an angiogenesis-related pathway that modify the effect of lifestyle factors on increased risk and survival of colon cancer. Specifically, we studied 34 genes on the angiogenesis pathway and three specific risk factors: dietary protein intake, smoking and alcohol consumption. This analysis was based on data available from a large study on colorectal cancer. Participants provided detailed information on specific dietary and lifestyle habits and blood samples for genetic analysis. The study found five genes that modify the effects of all three risk factors on colon cancer risk; and three genes that modify their effects on colon cancer survival five years following diagnosis. Overall, the risk increased with increasing levels of all three risk factors. Our pathway approach is more comprehensive compared to the traditional approach that studies individual genetic markers one at a time. Our findings can be used in a population setting to stratify risk, where high-risk groups could be identified so that they might benefit from targeted treatments and new approaches to screening and preventive interventions.