Environment And Genetics in Lung cancer Etiology (EAGLE) study: an integrative population-based case-control study of lung cancer.
BACKGROUND
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Tobacco smoking is its primary cause, and yet the precise molecular alterations induced by smoking in lung tissue that lead to lung cancer and impact survival have remained obscure. A new framework of research is needed to address the challenges offered by this complex disease.


METHODS
We designed a large population-based case-control study that combines a traditional molecular epidemiology design with a more integrative approach to investigate the dynamic process that begins with smoking initiation, proceeds through dependency/smoking persistence, continues with lung cancer development and ends with progression to disseminated disease or response to therapy and survival. The study allows the integration of data from multiple sources in the same subjects (risk factors, germline variation, genomic alterations in tumors, and clinical endpoints) to tackle the disease etiology from different angles. Before beginning the study, we conducted a phone survey and pilot investigations to identify the best approach to ensure an acceptable participation in the study from cases and controls. Between 2002 and 2005, we enrolled 2101 incident primary lung cancer cases and 2120 population controls, with 86.6% and 72.4% participation rate, respectively, from a catchment area including 216 municipalities in the Lombardy region of Italy. Lung cancer cases were enrolled in 13 hospitals and population controls were randomly sampled from the area to match the cases by age, gender and residence. Detailed epidemiological information and biospecimens were collected from each participant, and clinical data and tissue specimens from the cases. Collection of follow-up data on treatment and survival is ongoing.


CONCLUSIONS
EAGLE is a new population-based case-control study that explores the full spectrum of lung cancer etiology, from smoking addiction to lung cancer outcome, through examination of epidemiological, molecular, and clinical data. We have provided a detailed description of the study design, field activities, management, and opportunities for research following this integrative approach, which allows a sharper and more comprehensive vision of the complex nature of this disease. The study is poised to accelerate the emergence of new preventive and therapeutic strategies with potentially enormous impact on public health.
Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA. landim@mail.nih.gov
Maria Teresa
MT
Landi
Dario
D
Consonni
Melissa
M
Rotunno
Andrew W
AW
Bergen
Alisa M
AM
Goldstein
Jay H
JH
Lubin
Lynn
L
Goldin
Michael
M
Alavanja
Glen
G
Morgan
Amy F
AF
Subar
Ilona
I
Linnoila
Fabrizio
F
Previdi
Massimo
M
Corno
Maurizia
M
Rubagotti
Barbara
B
Marinelli
Benedetta
B
Albetti
Antonio
A
Colombi
Margaret
M
Tucker
Sholom
S
Wacholder
Angela C
AC
Pesatori
Neil E
NE
Caporaso
Pier Alberto
PA
Bertazzi
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004777:Environment; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D018579:Patient Selection; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires