Genetic variation in the lactase gene, dairy product intake and risk for prostate cancer in the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition.

Abstract

High dairy protein intake has been found to be associated with increased prostate cancer risk in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). To further examine this possible relationship, we investigated the hypothesis that a genetic polymorphism in the lactase (LCT) gene might be associated with elevated dairy product intake and increased prostate cancer risk in a case-control study nested in EPIC. The C/T-13910 lactase variant (rs4988235) was genotyped in 630 men with prostate cancer and 873 matched control participants. Dairy product consumption was assessed by diet questionnaire. Odds ratios (ORs) for prostate cancer in relation to lactase genotype were estimated by conditional logistic regression. Lactase genotype frequency varied significantly between countries, with frequencies of the T (lactase persistence) allele ranging from 7% in Greece to 79% in Denmark. Intake of milk and total dairy products varied significantly by lactase genotype after adjustment for recruitment center; adjusted mean intakes of milk were 44.4, 69.8 and 82.3 g/day among men with CC, CT and TT genotypes, respectively. The lactase variant was not significantly associated with prostate cancer risk, both in our data (adjusted OR for TT vs. CC homozygotes: 1.10, 95% CI: 0.76-1.59) and in a meta-analysis of all the published data (combined OR for T allele carriers vs. CC homozygotes: 1.12, 0.96-1.32). These findings show that while variation in the lactase gene is associated with milk intake in men, the lactase polymorphism does not have a large effect on prostate cancer risk.

• Authors: Ruth C Travis, Paul N Appleby, Afshan Siddiq, Naomi E Allen, Rudolf Kaaks, Federico Canzian, Silke Feller, Anne Tjønneland, Nina Føns Johnsen, Kim Overvad, J Ramón Quirós, Carlos A González, Maria-José Sánchez, Nerea Larrañaga, Maria-Dolores Chirlaque, Aurelio Barricarte, Kay-Tee Khaw, Nick Wareham, Antonia Trichopoulou, Elisavet Valanou, Erifili Oustoglou, Domenico Palli, Sabina Sieri, Rosario Tumino, Carlotta Sacerdote, H B as Bueno-de-Mesquita, Pär Stattin, Pietro Ferrari, Mattias Johansson, Teresa Norat, Elio Riboli, Timothy J Key
• Journal: International journal of cancer (Int J Cancer) Vol. 132 Issue 8 Pg. 1901-10 (Apr 15 2013) ISSN: 1097-0215 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22965418 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 UICC.

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Lactase

Topics

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Case-Control Studies
• Dairy Products
• Europe (epidemiology)
• Genetic Variation
• Humans
• Lactase (genetics)
• Male
• Prostatic Neoplasms (epidemiology, genetics)
• Risk Factors