Diet, lifestyle, and genomic instability in the North Carolina Colon Cancer Study.
OBJECTIVE
Microsatellite instability (MSI) is one form of genomic instability that occurs in 10% to 20% of sporadic colon tumors and almost all hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancers. However, little is known about how environmental factors (e.g., diet) may influence MSI in sporadic colon cancer.


METHODS
We used data from a population-based case-control study in North Carolina (486 colon cancer cases and 1,048 controls) to examine associations of diet (total energy, macronutrients, micronutrients, and food groups) with MSI. In-person interviews elicited information on potential colon cancer risk factors, and a previously validated food frequency questionnaire adapted to include regional foods was used to assess diet over the year before diagnosis or interview date. MSI was classified as MSI-high (MSI-H) and MSI-low or microsatellite stable (MSI-L/MSS). Multivariate logistic regression models estimated energy-adjusted and non-energy-adjusted odds ratios (OR).


RESULTS
Ten percent of the cases (n = 49) had MSI-H tumors (29% African American). The strongest associations between diet and MSI were observed in case-control comparisons: there was a robust inverse association between MSI-H status and beta-carotene [OR, 0.4; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.2-0.9] and positive associations with energy-adjusted refined carbohydrates (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 0.9-5.4) and non-energy-adjusted read meat intake (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 0.9-4.2). Compared with controls, MSI-L/MSS tumors were statistically significantly associated with energy-adjusted vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, dietary fiber, and dark green vegetables and positively associated with total energy intake (all Ps for trend < 0.05). In case-case comparisons, no dietary factors were significantly differently related to MSI-H compared with MSI-L/MSS tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
Refined carbohydrate and red meat consumption may promote development of MSI-H tumors, whereas beta-carotene may be associated with lower risk.
Satia
Jessie A
JA
Department of Global Epidemiology, Amgen, Inc., One Amgen Center Drive, 24-1-C, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA. jessie.satia@amgen.com
Keku
Temitope
T
Galanko
Joseph A
JA
Martin
Christopher
C
Doctolero
Ryan T
RT
Tajima
Akihiro
A
Sandler
Robert S
RS
Carethers
John M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044383:Black People; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D004032:Diet; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D005260:Female; D042822:Genomic Instability; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D044465:White People; D019207:beta Carotene; D001741:Black or African American
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D019207:beta Carotene