Abstract for presentation at 11th International Congress of Human Genetics

Prostate Cancer, Sun Exposure and Genes Modifying Risk

  • Jo Dickinson, Menzies Research Institute, Australia
  • Dr Briony Patterson, Menzies Research Institute, Australia
  • Ms Andrea Polanowski, Menzies Research Institute, Australia
  • Dr Russell Thomson, Menzies Research Institute, Australia
  • Dr Jim Stankovich, Menzies Research Institute, Australia
  • Ms Jayne Fryer, Australia
  • Dr Leigh Blizzard, Menzies Research Institute, Australia
  • Prof Terry Dwyer, Murdoch Children's Research Institute

    • UVR exposure may have a protective effect in a number of diseases including prostate cancer. Circumstantial evidence exists suggesting that this effect may be mediated by vitamin D. There is also strong experimental evidence demonstrating the anti-cancer activity of vitamin D. However, epidemiological studies investigating the role of the vitamin D hormonal pathway in cancer have produced conflicting results. The Tasmanian Prostate Cancer Case Control Study is currently being conducted recruiting cases under the age of 70 years identified from the Tasmanian Cancer Registry and age-matched disease free controls to the study, recruitment target 400 cases and 400 controls. Extensive dietary, sun exposure and life style data is being collected in addition to biospecimens. Preliminary analysis of data collected to date suggests that low vitamin D levels are associated with increase risk of prostate cancer. Corrected for time of measurement, odds of low vitamin D were 2.14 (1.21-3.78) times higher for cases than controls. The risk of prostate cancer was also associated with measures of skin pigmentation (P=0.02), and this effect was modified by sun exposure. Further, examination of vitamin D receptor (VDR) variants in samples collected to date indicate that selected VDR alleles may confer reduced prostate cancer risk in the presence of high sun exposure. Measurement of sun exposure was derived from spectrophotometric determination of skin pigmentation on the inner upper arm (sun-protected site) and back of hand (sun exposed site). We are currently examining further the role of the VDR and other genes involved in determining skin type. Preliminary analysis of genotyping data is currently underway and UVR exposure and skin type together with MC1R and VDR genotyping data will be presented.

    Conference Organiser - ICMS Pty Ltd