E N D
1. The role of folate in the aetiology of oesophageal lesions L Sharp,1 A-E Carsin,1 L Anderson,2 H Ferguson,2
SJ Murphy,2 A McElholm,2 BT Johnston,3 RGP Watson,3
H Comber,1 J McGuigan,3 JV Reynolds,4 LJ Murray2
1 National Cancer Registry Ireland, Cork; 2 Centre for Clinical and Population Sciences, Queen’s University, Belfast; 3 Royal Group of Hospitals, Belfast; 4 St James’ Hospital, Dublin
2. Folate B vitamin
Natural sources
green vegetables
oranges
yeast
cereals and grains
Synthetic form = folic acid
3. Key metabolic roles of folate FOLATE
deoxyuridine dihydrofolate
monophosphate (dUMP) methionine
tetrahydrofolate S-adenosyl- homocysteine methionine (SAM)
5,10-methylene 5-methyl s-adenosyl
tetrahydrofolate tetrahydrofolate homocysteine (SAH)
deoxythymidine
monophosphate (dTMP)
DNA REPAIR DNA
DNA SYNTHESIS METHYLATION
4. Other factors influencing folate metabolism Efficient folate metabolism requires other B vitamins
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
riboflavin
Folate metabolism is affected by
alcohol – inhibits folate absorption
smoking – may impair folate utilisation
5. Oesophageal adenocarcinoma carcinogenesis ?
normal inflammation specialized dysplasia malignancy
squamous columnar
mucosa epithelium
reflux Barrett’s adenocarcinoma
oesophagitis oesophagus
6. FINBAR (Factors INfluencing the Barrett’s Adenocarcinoma Relationship) case-control study Aim
To investigate risk factors for adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus (OAC), Barrett’s oesophagus (BO) and reflux oesophagitis (RO)
Research Questions
Is dietary intake of folate associated with risks of developing OAC, BO or RO?
Are intakes of vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and riboflavin associated with risk?
Are these relationship modified by alcohol intake and/or cigarette smoking?
Are plasma folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine associated with risk?
7. FINBAR Methods 1 OAC Cases
histologically confirmed disease, diagnosed May 2002-Dec 2004, < 85 years
BO Cases
long segment BO (=3cm), specialised intestinal metaplasia on histology, diagnosed May 2002-Dec 2004, < 85 years
RO Cases
Macroscopically visible erosive oesophagitis at endoscopy, aged < 85 years
Controls
aged 35-84 years, no history of BO or oesophageal or other GI cancer
selected from Northern Ireland GP Master Index and from GP lists in Dublin and Cork
8. FINBAR Methods 2 Assessment of dietary exposures
structured interview and food frequency questionnaire (EPIC modified for dietary variations in Ireland)
reference period: 5-years prior to interview
Assessment of blood exposures
blood sample obtained at interview
plasma folate and vitamin B12 measured by SimulTRAC-SNB radioassay
total homocysteine measured by HPLC
Statistical analysis
estimated daily intakes of micronutrients; adjusted for total energy intake
logistic regression to compute multivariate odds ratios (OR) with 95% CIs
separate analyses for OAC, BO and RO
9. Characteristics of participants
10. Folate intake and disease risk
11. Plasma folate and disease risk
12. Plasma homocysteine and disease risk
13. Other B vitamins Dietary vitamin B6
Strong inverse associations with OAC, BO and RO
Dietary riboflavin
Inversely related to RO; not associated with OAC or BO
Vitamin B12
Dietary intake – strong positive association with OAC (OR Q4 vs Q1=3.9) and BO (OR Q4 vs Q1=2.1), but not RO
Plasma levels – no associations with OAC, BO or RO
14. Folate, smoking and OAC
15. Folate, smoking and BO
16. Folate, alcohol and oesophageal lesions
Alcohol intake (5-years before interview and at age 21) did not significantly modify associations between folate intake and OAC, BO or RO
However - risk of disease was highest in those who drank alcohol at age 21 and had low folate intake (i.e. the group expected to have lowest folate status)
17. Conclusions These results suggest that folate metabolism may have a role in the aetiology of oesophageal lesions
Folate may be important early in the disease process
Confirmation needed of finding that low folate intake may exacerbate effects of smoking on risk
Folate levels in population are potentially amenable to change (dietary change, supplement use, food fortification)
Could folate have a role in prevention of OAC or management/surveillance of individuals with BO or RO?
18. Acknowledgements Northern Ireland: Liam Murray (PI); Carol Anderson; Lesley Anderson;; Geraldine Cuskelly; Anna Gavin; Heather Ferguson; Anne Hughes; Brian Johnston; Martin McAnaespie; Adrian McElholm Ann McGinty; Jim McGuigan; Damian McManus; Seamus Murphy; Peter Watson
Republic of Ireland: Harry Comber; Anne-Elie Carsin; Majella Gallagher; Lisa Higgins; Dermot Kelleher; Ross McManus; Gerry O’Sullivan; John Reynolds; Siobhan Reynolds
Leeds: Chris Wild; Laura Hardie
Leicester: Janusz Jankowski
FINBAR was funded by the Northern Ireland Research & Development Office; Health Research Board, Dublin; Ulster Cancer Foundation