Andrew F Olshan

Publications (128)492.04 Total impact

• Article: Effects of polymorphisms in alcohol metabolism and oxidative stress genes on survival from head and neck cancer.

  Anne M Hakenewerth, Robert C Millikan, Ivan Rusyn, Amy H Herring, Mark C Weissler, William K Funkhouser, Kari E North, Jill S Barnholtz-Sloan, Andrew F Olshan
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  ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Heavy alcohol consumption increases risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Alcohol metabolism to cytotoxic and mutagenic intermediates acetaldehyde and reactive oxygen species is critical for alcohol-drinking-associated carcinogenesis. We hypothesized that polymorphisms in alcohol metabolism-related and antioxidant genes influence SCCHN survival. METHODS: Interview and genotyping data (64 polymorphisms in 12 genes) were obtained from 1227 white and African-American cases from the Carolina Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology study, a population-based case-control study of SCCHN conducted in North Carolina from 2002 to 2006. Vital status, date and cause of death through 2009 were obtained from the National Death Index. Kaplan-Meier log-rank tests and adjusted hazard ratios were calculated to identify alleles associated with survival. RESULTS: Most tested SNPs were not associated with survival, with the exception of the minor alleles of rs3813865 and rs8192772 in CYP2E1. These were associated with poorer cancer-specific survival (HRrs3813865, 95%CI=2.00, 1.33-3.01; HRrs8192772, 95%CI=1.62, 1.17-2.23). Hazard ratios for 8 additional SNPs in CYP2E1, GPx2, SOD1, and SOD2, though not statistically significant, were suggestive of differences in allele hazards for all-cause and/or cancer death. No consistent associations with survival were found for SNPs in ADH1B, ADH1C, ADH4, ADH7, ALDH2, GPx2, GPx4, and CAT. CONCLUSIONS: We identified some polymorphisms in alcohol and oxidative stress metabolism genes that influence survival in subjects with SCCHN. Previously unreported associations of SNPs in CYP2E1 warrant further investigation.
  Cancer epidemiology. 04/2013;
• Article: Periconceptional maternal alcohol consumption and neural tube defects.

  Jennifer A Makelarski, Paul A Romitti, Lixian Sun, Trudy L Burns, Charlotte M Druschel, Lucina Suarez, Andrew F Olshan, Anna Maria Siega-Riz, Richard S Olney
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  ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Neural tube defects (NTD)s, which occur when the neural tube fails to close during early gestation, are some of the most common birth defects worldwide. Alcohol is a known teratogen and has been shown to induce NTDs in animal studies, although most human studies have failed to corroborate these results. Using data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, associations between maternal reports of periconceptional (1 month prior through 2 months postconception) alcohol consumption and NTDs were examined. METHODS: NTD cases and unaffected live born control infants, delivered from 1997 through 2005, were included. Interview reports of alcohol consumption (quantity, frequency, variability, and type) were obtained from 1223 case mothers and 6807 control mothers. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR)s and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: For all NTDs combined, most aORs for any alcohol consumption, one or more binge episodes, and different type(s) of alcohol consumed were near unity or modestly reduced (≥0.7<aOR≤1.1) and were not statistically significant. Findings were similar for individual NTD subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest no elevated association between maternal periconceptional alcohol consumption and NTDs. Underreporting of alcohol consumption, due to negative social stigma associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and limited reports for mothers with early pregnancy loss of a fetus with an NTD may have affected the estimated odds ratios. Future studies should aim to increase sample sizes for less prevalent subtypes, reduce exposure misclassification, and improve ascertainment offetal deaths and elective terminations. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
  Birth Defects Research Part A Clinical and Molecular Teratology 03/2013; · 2.27 Impact Factor
• Article: Quantification of arsenic, lead, mercury and cadmium in newborn dried blood spots.

  William E Funk, John K McGee, Andrew F Olshan, Andrew J Ghio
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  ABSTRACT: Abstract Exposures to heavy metals during fetal and perinatal development are of particular concern. Yet, the health impacts of exposures to toxic metals during these early stages of human development are not well understood due to the paucity of in vivo human data. Dried blood spots (DBS), collected by public health departments to screen for inherited metabolic errors and other disorders, are routinely archived and can be used for exposure assessment. Here we report an improved method for quantifying arsenic, lead, mercury and cadmium in newborn DBS to facilitate epidemiologic research on the health effects of early exposures to toxic metals.
  Biomarkers 01/2013; · 2.21 Impact Factor
• Article: Molecular subtypes in head and neck cancer exhibit distinct patterns of chromosomal gain and loss of canonical cancer genes.

  Vonn Walter, Xiaoying Yin, Matthew D Wilkerson, Christopher R Cabanski, Ni Zhao, Ying Du, Mei Kim Ang, Michele C Hayward, Ashley H Salazar, Katherine A Hoadley, [......], Adam M Zanation, Trevor Hackman, Leigh B Thorne, William D Funkhouser, Kenneth L Muldrew, Andrew F Olshan, Scott H Randell, Fred A Wright, Carol G Shores, D Neil Hayes
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  ABSTRACT: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a frequently fatal heterogeneous disease. Beyond the role of human papilloma virus (HPV), no validated molecular characterization of the disease has been established. Using an integrated genomic analysis and validation methodology we confirm four molecular classes of HNSCC (basal, mesenchymal, atypical, and classical) consistent with signatures established for squamous carcinoma of the lung, including deregulation of the KEAP1/NFE2L2 oxidative stress pathway, differential utilization of the lineage markers SOX2 and TP63, and preference for the oncogenes PIK3CA and EGFR. For potential clinical use the signatures are complimentary to classification by HPV infection status as well as the putative high risk marker CCND1 copy number gain. A molecular etiology for the subtypes is suggested by statistically significant chromosomal gains and losses and differential cell of origin expression patterns. Model systems representative of each of the four subtypes are also presented.
  PLoS ONE 01/2013; 8(2):e56823. · 4.09 Impact Factor
• Article: Children's Oncology Group's 2013 blueprint for research: Epidemiology.

  Logan G Spector, Julie A Ross, Andrew F Olshan
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  ABSTRACT: Investigators worldwide have for over 40 years conducted case-control studies aimed at determining the causes of childhood cancer. The central challenge to conducting such research is the rarity of childhood cancer, thus many studies aggregate cases through clinical trials organizations such as COG. Rarity also precludes the use of prospective study designs, which are less prone to recall and selection biases. Despite these challenges a substantial literature on childhood cancer etiology has emerged but few strong environmental risk factors have been identified. Genetic studies are thus now coming to the fore with some success. The ultimate aim of epidemiologic studies is to reduce the population burden of childhood cancer by suggesting preventive measures or possibly by enabling early detection. Pediatr Blood Cancer © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
  Pediatric Blood & Cancer 12/2012; · 1.89 Impact Factor
• Article: Robert C. Millikan: In Memoriam.

  Andrew F Olshan, Christine B Ambrosone, Jill S Barnholtz-Sloan, Marianne Berwick, Julie R Palmer, Nancy E Thomas
  Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers &amp Prevention 12/2012; · 4.12 Impact Factor
• Article: Re: The study of the relation between maternal occupational exposure to solvents and birth defects should include oxygenated solvents (authors' response).

  Tania A Desrosiers, Christina C Lawson, Robert E Meyer, Martha A Waters, Edwin van Wijngaarden, Peter H Langlois, Paul A Romitti, Adolfo Correa, Andrew F Olshan
  Occupational and environmental medicine 10/2012; · 3.64 Impact Factor
• Article: Polymorphisms in oxidative stress genes, physical activity, and breast cancer risk.

  Lauren E McCullough, Regina M Santella, Rebecca J Cleveland, Patrick T Bradshaw, Robert C Millikan, Kari E North, Andrew F Olshan, Sybil M Eng, Christine B Ambrosone, Jiyoung Ahn, Susan E Steck, Susan L Teitelbaum, Alfred I Neugut, Marilie D Gammon
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  ABSTRACT: PURPOSE: The mechanisms driving the physical activity-breast cancer association are unclear. Exercise both increases reactive oxygen species production, which may transform normal epithelium to a malignant phenotype, and enhances antioxidant capacity, which could protect against subsequent oxidative insult. Given the paradoxical effects of physical activity, the oxidative stress pathway is of interest. Genetic variation in CAT or antioxidant-related polymorphisms may mediate the physical activity-breast cancer association. METHODS: We investigated the main and joint effects of three previously unreported polymorphisms in CAT on breast cancer risk. We also estimated interactions between recreational physical activity (RPA) and 13 polymorphisms in oxidative stress-related genes. Data were from the Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project, with interview and biomarker data available on 1,053 cases and 1,102 controls. RESULTS: Women with ≥1 variant allele in CAT rs4756146 had a 23 % reduced risk of postmenopausal breast cancer compared with women with the common TT genotype (OR = 0.77; 95 % CI = 0.59-0.99). We observed two statistical interactions between RPA and genes in the antioxidant pathway (p = 0.043 and 0.006 for CAT and GSTP1, respectively). Highly active women harboring variant alleles in CAT rs1001179 were at increased risk of breast cancer compared with women with the common CC genotype (OR = 1.61; 95 % CI, 1.06-2.45). Risk reductions were observed among moderately active women carrying variant alleles in GSTP1 compared with women homozygous for the major allele (OR = 0.56; 95 % CI, 0.38-0.84). CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer risk may be jointly influenced by RPA and genes involved in the antioxidant pathway, but our findings require confirmation.
  Cancer Causes and Control 09/2012; · 2.88 Impact Factor
• Article: Health-related quality of life differences between African Americans and non-Hispanic whites with head and neck cancer.

  Bryce B Reeve, Jianwen Cai, Hongtao Zhang, Jaeun Choi, Mark C Weissler, David Cella, Andrew F Olshan
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  ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Cancers of the head and neck are associated with detriments in health-related quality of life (HRQOL); however, little is known about different experiences between African Americans and non-Hispanic whites. METHODS: HRQOL was measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Head and Neck (FACT-H&N) approximately 5 months postdiagnosis among 222 patients with cancer from North Carolina. Higher scores represent better HRQOL. Regression models included sociodemographic characteristics and clinical factors. RESULTS: African Americans reported higher physical well-being than whites (adjusted means, 23.1 vs 20.9). African Americans with incomes <$20,000 reported higher emotional well-being (21.4) and fewer head and neck symptoms (22.0). Non-Hispanic whites making <$20,000 reported the poorest emotional well-being (17.3), whereas African Americans making >$20,000 reported the most head and neck symptoms (18.7). CONCLUSIONS: Further investigation is needed to explore variation in HRQOL experiences among different race and socioeconomic groups that may inform resource allocation to improve cancer care. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012.
  Head & Neck 08/2012; · 2.40 Impact Factor
• Article: Racial differences in the relationship between tobacco, alcohol, and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

  Jeanette A Stingone, William K Funkhouser, Mark C Weissler, Mary E Bell, Andrew F Olshan
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  ABSTRACT: PURPOSE: Tobacco and alcohol use are well-known risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), but there has been little examination of disparities in SCCHN and racial patterns of tobacco and alcohol use, especially for African-Americans. The Carolina Head and Neck Cancer Study, a population-based case-control study, was utilized to determine whether relationships between tobacco and alcohol use and SCCHN differed by race. METHODS: Using a rapid case ascertainment system, cases were recruited from 46 contiguous counties in North Carolina from 2002 to 2006. Controls, selected from motor vehicle records, were frequency-matched to cases on age, sex, and race. This analysis was based on 989 white and 351 African-American cases and 1,114 white and 264 African-American controls. Analyses were performed using unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, race, education, and fruit and vegetable consumption. RESULTS: The association between SCCHN and ever tobacco use among African-Americans (odds ratio (OR), 9.68; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 4.70, 19.9) was much greater than that observed in whites (OR, 1.94; 95 % CI, 1.51, 2.50). Smaller differences were observed when examining ever alcohol use (African-Americans: OR, 3.71; CI, 1.65, 8.30, and Whites: OR, 1.31: CI 0.96, 1.78). African-Americans consistently had greater effect measure estimates when examining common levels of duration and intensity metrics of tobacco and alcohol use, both independently and jointly. No racial differences in the effects of environmental (passive) tobacco smoke were observed. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest racial differences in SCCHN are not solely explained by differences in consumption patterns, and tobacco and alcohol may have greater impact in African-Americans.
  Cancer Causes and Control 06/2012; · 2.88 Impact Factor
• Article: Associations between dietary patterns and head and neck cancer: the Carolina head and neck cancer epidemiology study.

  Patrick T Bradshaw, Anna Maria Siega-Riz, Marci Campbell, Mark C Weissler, William K Funkhouser, Andrew F Olshan
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  ABSTRACT: Few studies have examined the associations between dietary patterns and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or whether they differ by race. This was evaluated using data from a population-based case-control study (2002-2006) including 1,176 cases of head and neck SCC and 1,317 age-, race-, and gender-matched controls from central and eastern North Carolina whose diets had been assessed by food frequency questionnaire. Factor analysis identified 2 patterns of intake: 1) high consumption of fruits, vegetables, and lean protein and 2) high consumption of fried foods, high-fat and processed meats, and sweets. Associations were estimated using logistic regression, adjusting for matching factors and confounders. Heterogeneity by tumor site (oral/pharyngeal vs. laryngeal) and effect-measure modification were also evaluated. Reduced odds of head and neck SCC were found for the fruit, vegetable, and lean protein pattern (for highest quartile vs. lowest, odds ratio = 0.53, 95% confidence interval: 0.39, 0.71). The fried foods, high-fat and processed meats, and sweets pattern was positively associated only with laryngeal cancer (odds ratio = 2.12, 95% confidence interval: 1.21, 3.72). These findings underline the importance of a dietary pattern rich in fruits and vegetables and low in high-fat and processed meats and sweets for prevention of head and neck cancer.
  American journal of epidemiology 05/2012; 175(12):1225-33. · 5.59 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: Mohammed El-Sadig

  Article: Indoor air pollutants and health in the United Arab Emirates.

  Karin B Yeatts, Mohamed El-Sadig, David Leith, William Kalsbeek, Fatma Al-Maskari, David Couper, William E Funk, Taoufik Zoubeidi, Ronna L Chan, Chris B Trent, Christopher A Davidson, Maryanne G Boundy, Maamoon M Kassab, Mohamed Y Hasan, Ivan Rusyn, Jacqueline MacDonald Gibson, Andrew F Olshan
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  ABSTRACT: Background: Comprehensive global data on the health effects of indoor air pollutants are lacking. There are few large population-based multi-air pollutant health assessments. Further, little is known about indoor air health risks in the Middle East, especially in countries undergoing rapid economic development.Objectives: To provide multifactorial indoor air exposure and health data, we conducted a population-based study of indoor air pollution and health in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in a population-based sample of 628 households in the UAE. Indoor air pollutants [sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), formaldehyde (HCHO), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter] were measured using passive samplers over a 7-day period. Health information was collected from 1,590 household members via in-person interviews.Results: Participants in households with quantified SO2, NO2, and H2S (i.e., with measured concentrations above the limit of quantification) were twice as likely to report doctor-diagnosed asthma. Participants in homes with quantified SO2 were more likely to report wheezing symptoms {ever wheezing, prevalence odds ratio [POR] 1.79 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05, 3.05]; speech-limiting wheeze, POR 3.53 (95% CI: 1.06, 11.74)}. NO2 and H2S were similarly associated with wheezing symptoms. Quantified HCHO was associated with neurologic symptoms (difficulty concentrating POR 1.47; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.13). Burning incense daily was associated with increased headaches (POR 1.87; 95% CI: 1.09, 3.21), difficulty concentrating (POR 3.08; 95% CI: 1.70, 5.58), and forgetfulness (POR 2.68: 95% CI: 1.47, 4.89).Conclusions: This study provides new information regarding potential health risks from pollutants commonly found in indoor environments in the UAE and other countries. Multipollutant exposure and health assessments in cohort studies are needed to better characterize health effects of indoor air pollutants.
  Environmental Health Perspectives 02/2012; 120(5):687-94. · 7.04 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: José Eluf-Neto

  Article: Vitamin or mineral supplement intake and the risk of head and neck cancer: pooled analysis in the INHANCE consortium

  Qian Li, Shu-Chun Chuang, Jose Eluf-Neto, Ana Menezes, Elena Matos, Sergio Koifman, Victor Wünsch-Filho, Leticia Fernandez, Alexander W. Daudt, Maria Paula Curado, [......], Stephen M. Schwartz, Chu Chen, Simone Benhamou, Andrew F. Olshan, Guopei Yu, Stimson Schantz, Gilles Ferro, Paul Brennan, Paolo Boffetta, Mia Hashibe
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  ABSTRACT: To investigate the potential role of vitamin or mineral supplementation on the risk of head and neck cancer (HNC), we analyzed individual-level pooled data from 12 case–control studies (7,002 HNC cases and 8,383 controls) participating in the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology consortium. There were a total of 2,028 oral cavity cancer, 2,465 pharyngeal cancer, 874 unspecified oral/pharynx cancer, 1,329 laryngeal cancer and 306 overlapping HNC cases. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for self reported ever use of any vitamins, multivitamins, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and calcium, beta-carotene, iron, selenium and zinc supplements were assessed. We further examined frequency, duration and cumulative exposure of each vitamin or mineral when possible and stratified by smoking and drinking status. All ORs were adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, study center, education level, pack-years of smoking, frequency of alcohol drinking and fruit/vegetable intake. A decreased risk of HNC was observed with ever use of vitamin C (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.59–0.96) and with ever use of calcium supplement (OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.42–0.97). The inverse association with HNC risk was also observed for 10 or more years of vitamin C use (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.54–0.97) and more than 365 tablets of cumulative calcium intake (OR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.16–0.83), but linear trends were not observed for the frequency or duration of any supplement intake. We did not observe any strong associations between vitamin or mineral supplement intake and the risk of HNC.
  International Journal of Cancer 01/2012; · 5.44 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: Mohammed El-Sadig

  Article: Conducting environmental health research in the Arabian Middle East: lessons learned and opportunities.

  Karin B Yeatts, Mohamed El-Sadig, Habiba I Ali, Fatma Al-Maskari, Alan Campbell, Shu Wen Ng, Lisa Reeves, Ronna L Chan, Christopher A Davidson, William E Funk, Maryanne G Boundy, David Leith, Barry Popkin, Jacqueline Macdonald Gibson, Ivan Rusyn, Andrew F Olshan
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  ABSTRACT: The Arabian Gulf nations are undergoing rapid economic development, leading to major shifts in both the traditional lifestyle and the environment. Although the pace of change is brisk, there is a dearth of environmental health research in this region. We describe challenges and successes of conducting an environmental epidemiologic study in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a Gulf nation in the Middle East, with an inter-disciplinary team that includes in-country academic and government collaborators as well as U.S. academic collaborators. We present several issues, including study and data collection design, exposure assessment, scheduling and time coordination, quality assurance and quality control, and institutional review board protocols. These topics are considered in a cultural context. Benefits of this research included building linkages among multinational, interdisciplinary team members, generating data for local environmental decision making, and developing local epidemiologic research capacity. The Middle Eastern culture of hospitality greatly benefited the project team. Cultural differences impact multiple aspects of epidemiologic research and should be respectfully addressed. Conducting international population-based environmental research poses many challenges; these challenges can be met successfully with careful planning, cultural knowledge, and flexibility. Lessons learned are applicable to interdisciplinary research all over the world. The research conducted will benefit the environmental and public health agencies of the UAE and provide the nation's leadership with country-specific environmental health data that can be used to protect the public's health in a rapidly changing environment.
  Environmental Health Perspectives 01/2012; 120(5):632-6. · 7.04 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: José Eluf-Neto

  Article: Diet and the risk of head and neck cancer: a pooled analysis in the INHANCE consortium.

  Shu-Chun Chuang, Mazda Jenab, Julia E Heck, Cristina Bosetti, Renato Talamini, Keitaro Matsuo, Xavier Castellsague, Silvia Franceschi, Rolando Herrero, Deborah M Winn, [......], David I Conway, Peter Thomson, Eleonora Fabianova, Ariana Znaor, Peter Rudnai, Claire M Healy, Gilles Ferro, Paul Brennan, Paolo Boffetta, Mia Hashibe
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  ABSTRACT: We investigated the association between diet and head and neck cancer (HNC) risk using data from the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology (INHANCE) consortium. The INHANCE pooled data included 22 case-control studies with 14,520 cases and 22,737 controls. Center-specific quartiles among the controls were used for food groups, and frequencies per week were used for single food items. A dietary pattern score combining high fruit and vegetable intake and low red meat intake was created. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the dietary items on the risk of HNC were estimated with a two-stage random-effects logistic regression model. An inverse association was observed for higher-frequency intake of fruit (4th vs. 1st quartile OR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.43-0.62, p (trend) < 0.01) and vegetables (OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.49-0.90, p (trend) = 0.01). Intake of red meat (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.13-1.74, p (trend) = 0.13) and processed meat (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.14-1.65, p (trend) < 0.01) was positively associated with HNC risk. Higher dietary pattern scores, reflecting high fruit/vegetable and low red meat intake, were associated with reduced HNC risk (per score increment OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.84-0.97).
  Cancer Causes and Control 01/2012; 23(1):69-88. · 2.88 Impact Factor
• Article: The case-only independence assumption: associations between genetic polymorphisms and smoking among controls in two population-based studies.

  M Elizabeth Hodgson, Andrew F Olshan, Kari E North, Charles L Poole, Donglin Zeng, Chiu-Kit Tse, Tope O Keku, Joseph Galanko, Robert Sandler, Robert C Millikan
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  ABSTRACT: The independence assumption for a case-only analysis of statistical interaction, i. e. that genetic (G) and environmental exposures (E) are not associated in the source population, is often checked in surrogate populations. Few studies have examined G-E association in empirical data, particularly in controls from population-based studies, the type of controls expected to provide the most valid surrogate estimates of G-E association. We used controls from two population-based case-control studies to evaluate G-E independence for 43 selected genetic polymorphisms and smoking behavior. The odds ratio (OR(z)) was used to estimate G-E association and, therefore, the magnitude of bias introduced into the case-only odds ratio (COR). Odds ratios of moderate magnitude [mmOR(z)], defined as OR(z)≤0.7 or OR(z)≥1.4, were found at least one of the six smoking measures (ever, former, current, cig/day, years smoked, pack-years) for 45% and 59% of the SNPs examined in the control groups of two independently conducted North Carolina studies, respectively. Consequently, case-only estimates of G-E interaction in the context of a multiplicative benchmark would be biased for these SNPs and smoking measures. MmOR(z)s were found more often for smoking amount than smoking status. We recommend that a stand-alone case-only study should only be conducted when G-E independence can be verified for each polymorphism and exposure metric with population-specific data. Our results suggest that OR(z) is specific to each underlying population rather than an estimate of a 'universal' OR(z) for that SNP and smoking measure. Further, misspecification of smoking is likely to introduce bias into the COR.
  International Journal of Molecular Epidemiology and Genetics 01/2012; 3(4):333-60.
• Article: History of diabetes and risk of head and neck cancer: a pooled analysis from the international head and neck cancer epidemiology consortium.

  Marni Stott-Miller, Chu Chen, Shu-Chun Chuang, Yuan-Chin Amy Lee, Stefania Boccia, Hermann Brenner, Gabriela Cadoni, Luigino Dal Maso, Carlo La Vecchia, Philip Lazarus, [......], Heiko Müller, Joshua Muscat, Andrew F Olshan, Mark P Purdue, Diego Serraino, Thomas L Vaughan, Zuo-Feng Zhang, Paolo Boffetta, Mia Hashibe, Stephen M Schwartz
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  ABSTRACT: A history of diabetes is associated with an increased risk of several types of cancers. Whether diabetes is a risk factor for head and neck cancer (HNC) has received little attention. We pooled data from 12 case-control studies including 6,448 cases and 13,747 controls, and estimated OR and 95% CI for the associations between diabetes and HNC, adjusted for age, education level, sex, race/ethnicity, study center, cigarette smoking, alcohol use, and body mass index. We observed a weak association between diabetes and the incidence of HNC overall (OR, 1.09; 95% CI: 0.95-1.24). However, we observed a modest association among never smokers (OR, 1.59; 95% CI: 1.22-2.07), and no association among ever smokers (OR, 0.96; 95% CI: 0.83-1.11); likelihood ratio test for interaction P = 0.001. A history of diabetes was weakly associated with HNC overall, but we observed evidence of effect modification by smoking status, with a positive association among those who never smoked cigarettes. Impact: This study suggests that glucose metabolism abnormalities may be a HNC risk factor in subgroups of the population. Prospective studies incorporating biomarkers are needed to improve our understanding of the relationship between diabetes and HNC risk, possibly providing new strategies in the prevention of HNC.
  Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers &amp Prevention 12/2011; 21(2):294-304. · 4.12 Impact Factor
• Article: Feasibility of neonatal dried blood spot retrieval amid evolving state policies (2009-2010): a Children's Oncology Group study.

  Amy M Linabery, Megan E Slater, Logan G Spector, Andrew F Olshan, Susan K Stork, Michelle A Roesler, Gregory H Reaman, Julie A Ross
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  ABSTRACT: Dried blood spots (DBS) are collected uniformly from US newborns to test for metabolic and other disorders. Because evidence exists for prenatal origins of some diseases, DBS may provide unique prenatal exposure records. Some states retain residual DBS and permit their use in aetiological studies. The primary study aim was to assess the feasibility of obtaining residual DBS from state newborn screening programmes for paediatric and adolescent cancer patients nationwide with parental/subject consent/assent. Families of leukaemia and lymphoma patients aged ≤21 years diagnosed from 1998 to 2007 at randomly selected Children's Oncology Group institutions across the US were questioned (n = 947). Parents/guardians and patients aged ≥18 years were asked to release DBS to investigators in spring 2009. DBS were then requested from states. Overall, 299 families (32%) released DBS. Consenting/assenting patients were born in 39 US states and 46 DBS were obtained from five states; 124 DBS were unobtainable because patients were born prior to dates of state retention. State policies are rapidly evolving and there is ongoing discussion regarding DBS storage and secondary research uses. Currently, population-based DBS studies can be conducted in a limited number of states; fortunately, many have large populations to provide reasonably sized paediatric subject groups.
  Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 11/2011; 25(6):549-58. · 2.31 Impact Factor
• Article: Self-report versus ultrasound measurement of uterine fibroid status.

  Sharon L Myers, Donna Day Baird, Andrew F Olshan, Amy H Herring, Jane C Schroeder, Leena A Nylander-French, Katherine E Hartmann
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  ABSTRACT: Much of the epidemiologic research on risk factors for fibroids, the leading indication for hysterectomy, relies on self-reported outcome. Self-report is subject to misclassification because many women with fibroids are undiagnosed. The purpose of this analysis was to quantify the extent of misclassification and identify associated factors. Self-reported fibroid status was compared to ultrasound screening from 2046 women in Right From The Start (RFTS) and 869 women in the Uterine Fibroid Study (UFS). Log-binomial regression was used to estimate sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) and examine differences by ethnicity, age, education, body mass index, parity, and miscarriage history. Overall sensitivity was ≤0.50. Sensitivity was higher in blacks than whites (RFTS: 0.34 vs. 0.23; UFS: 0.58 vs. 0.32) and increased with age. Parous women had higher sensitivity than nulliparae, especially in RFTS whites (Se ratio=2.90; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.51, 5.60). Specificity was 0.98 in RFTS and 0.86 in UFS. Modest ethnic differences were seen in UFS (Sp ratio, black vs. white=0.90; 95% CI: 0.81, 0.99). Parity was inversely associated with specificity, especially among UFS black women (Sp ratio=0.84; 95% CI: 0.73, 0.97). Among women who reported a previous diagnosis, a shorter time interval between diagnosis and ultrasound was associated with increased agreement between the two measures. Misclassification of fibroid status can differ by factors of etiologic interest. These findings are useful for assessing (and correcting) bias in studies using self-reported clinical diagnosis as the outcome measure.
  Journal of Women s Health 11/2011; 21(3):285-93. · 1.57 Impact Factor
• Article: Joint effects of alcohol consumption and polymorphisms in alcohol and oxidative stress metabolism genes on risk of head and neck cancer.

  Anne M Hakenewerth, Robert C Millikan, Ivan Rusyn, Amy H Herring, Kari E North, Jill S Barnholtz-Sloan, William F Funkhouser, Mark C Weissler, Andrew F Olshan
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  ABSTRACT: Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in alcohol metabolism genes are associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) and may influence cancer risk in conjunction with alcohol. Genetic variation in the oxidative stress pathway may impact the carcinogenic effect of reactive oxygen species produced by ethanol metabolism. We hypothesized that alcohol interacts with these pathways to affect SCCHN incidence. Interview and genotyping data for 64 SNPs were obtained from 2,552 European- and African-American subjects (1,227 cases and 1,325 controls) from the Carolina Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology Study, a population-based case-control study of SCCHN conducted in North Carolina from 2002 to 2006. We estimated ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for SNPs and haplotypes, adjusting for age, sex, race, and duration of cigarette smoking. P values were adjusted for multiple testing using Bonferroni correction. Two SNPs were associated with SCCHN risk: ADH1B rs1229984 A allele (OR = 0.7; 95% CI, 0.6-0.9) and ALDH2 rs2238151 C allele (OR = 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1-1.4). Three were associated with subsite tumors: ADH1B rs17028834 C allele (larynx, OR = 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2.0), SOD2 rs4342445 A allele (oral cavity, OR = 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1-1.6), and SOD2 rs5746134 T allele (hypopharynx, OR = 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-3.7). Four SNPs in alcohol metabolism genes interacted additively with alcohol consumption: ALDH2 rs2238151, ADH1B rs1159918, ADH7 rs1154460, and CYP2E1 rs2249695. No alcohol interactions were found for oxidative stress SNPs. Previously unreported associations of SNPs in ALDH2, CYP2E1, GPX2, SOD1, and SOD2 with SCCHN and subsite tumors provide evidence that alterations in alcohol and oxidative stress pathways influence SCCHN carcinogenesis and warrant further investigation.
  Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers &amp Prevention 09/2011; 20(11):2438-49. · 4.12 Impact Factor