Mean Telomere Length and Risk of Incident Colorectal Carcinoma: A Prospective, Nested Case-Control Approach

• Published in: Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention Vol. 18; no. 8; pp. 2280 - 2282
• Main Authors: ZEE, Robert Y. L, CASTONGUAY, Amy J, BARTON, Nathaniel S, BURING, Julie E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA American Association for Cancer Research 01.08.2009
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers, Tumor - genetics; Case-Control Studies; colorectal carcinoma; Colorectal Neoplasms - genetics; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Humans; Leukocytes - physiology; Male; mean leukocyte telomere length; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Risk Factors; risk predictor; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; Telomere - genetics; Tumors; United States; North America; America; Human; Rectal disease; Colorectal carcinoma; Colorectal cancer; Malignant tumor; Case control study; Epidemiology; Telomere; Colonic disease; Prospective; Cancerology; Length; Risk factor; Cytogenetics; Genetics; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease; Public health; Cancer
• ISSN: 1055-9965; 1538-7755
• DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-09-0360

Recent studies have shown telomere length shortening in colorectal carcinoma (CRC). However, to date, no prospective, epidemiologic data are available on examining mean leukocyte telomere length as a risk predictor. Using leukocyte DNA samples collected at baseline in a prospective cohort of 14,916 initially healthy American men, we examined the relationship of mean telomere repeat copy number to single gene copy number (T/S ratio), using a modified quantitative PCR protocol, among 191 incident CRC cases (all white males), matched to 306 controls by age, smoking status, and length of follow-up. An inverse correlation between T/S ratio and age was observed in our sample population ( P = 0.038). However, the T/S ratios were similar between cases and controls ( P = 0.650). Furthermore, in a multivariable adjusted analysis, we found no evidence for an association of the observed T/S ratios with CRC risk (adjusted odds ratio, 1.249; 95% confidence interval, 0.863-1.808; P = 0.238). In summary, the present investigation found no evidence for an association of leukocyte mean telomere length with risk of incident CRC and further suggests that leukocyte mean telomere length may not be a useful indicator for risk assessment.(Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(8):2280–2)