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DNA Methylation Markers and Prostate Cancer Risk

Principal Investigator
Name
Sonja Berndt
Degrees
-
Institution
NCI, DCEG, OEEB
Position Title
-
Email
About this CDAS Project
Study
PLCO (Learn more about this study)
Project ID
2009-0564
Initial CDAS Request Approval
Dec 15, 2009
Title
DNA Methylation Markers and Prostate Cancer Risk
Summary
Epigenetic alterations are thought to play an important role in the development of prostate cancer by silencing tumor suppressor genes and have been used to classify tumors with a poor prognosis. Recent studies have indicated that global DNA methylation status in peripheral blood may be associated with cancer risk; however, this relation has not been investigated with prostate cancer risk. Utilizing cases and controls from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial, we propose: 1) to evaluate the association between global DNA methylation in the peripheral blood and prostate cancer risk and 2) to evaluate environmental and genetic risk factors in relation to tumor subtype as determined from methylation-related tissue markers. By studying markers of DNA methylation in both blood and tissue samples we will be able to relate epigenetic events with genomic instability and prostate cancer risk and to incorporate environmental and genetic risk factors which may modify the effects. We anticipate that this study will greatly expand our knowledge of the role of DNA methylation in the development of this heterogeneous disease.
Aims

The primary aims of the proposed study are: 1. To evaluate the association between genome-wide (global) DNA methylation in the peripheral blood and the risk of prostate cancer. 2. To evaluate environmental and genetic risk factors in relation to tumor subtype as determined from tumor tissue markers. A secondary aim of the proposed study is to explore interactions between global DNA methylation and genetic/environmental factors and the risk of prostate cancer.

Collaborators

Gabriella Andreotti (NCI, DCEG)
Sonja Berndt (NCI, DCEG)
David Seligson (UCLA)
Wen-Yi Huang (NCI, DCEG)
Jiyoung Ahn (New York University Medical Center)
Richard Hayes (New York University Medical Center)

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