DNA Methylation and Arsenic-associated Urothelial Carcinoma

Comparison of DNA Methylation Between Urothelial Carcinoma and Healthy Controls

The investigators previously pointed out the significant association between urinary arsenic profiles and urothelial carcinoma (UC) risk through a 12-year follow-up study. Further, the investigators observed the increased UC risk in people with lower plasma folate and higher homocysteine than those with higher plasma folate and lower homocysteine in 2010. S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) is one factor included in one-carbon metabolism pathway and is the main donor of methyl group in cells. The ratio of SAM and its metabolite S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) not only reflected the intake level of dietary folate but also demonstrated the extent of global DNA methylation. These factors might play important roles in UC carcinogenesis. The investigators would expect to take three years to explore the interactions among global DNA methylation, one-carbon metabolic pathway factors, urinary arsenic profiles, the polymorphisms and haplotype of Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) and UC. In the first year, the investigators would measure the levels of plasma folate, homocysteine, SAM and SAH and evaluate the associations between these factors and UC risk. In the second year, the investigators would set up the method of immunohistochemistry stain and compare the differences between the global DNA methylation from bladder tissues and blood. In the last year, this investigators would analyze the GNMT gene polymorphism and haplotype variation. At the same time, the investigators would explore the impact of GNMT genetic variation and global DNA methylation on UC risk. Based on the results from our research, the investigators might propose that the decreased ratio of SAM/SAH resulted in UC risk increased. This mechanism might be through the changed levels of urinary arsenic profiles and global DNA methylation.

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Urothelial Carcinoma

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 600

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Taiwan
  • Taichung, Taiwan, 404
    • Recruiting
    • Department of Urology, China Medical University Hospital
    • Contact: Chao-Hsiang Chuang, PhD; Phone Number: 4439 886-4-22052121; Email: urology8395@yahoo.com.tw
    • Principal Investigator: Chi-Jung Chung, PhD

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 21 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

This is a hosital-based case-control study. Patients with urothelial carcinoma are recruited by pathological verification of UC was done by routine urological practice including endoscopic biopsy or surgical resection of urinary tract tumors followed by histopathological examination by board-certified pathologists. Healthy controls without evidence of UC or any other malignancy were recurited including those receiving adult health examinations at China Medical University Hospital.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma
• The voluntary of participating the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age smaller than 20 years
• Pregnant women
• Not willing to participate the study because of their personal reasons

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
urothelial carcinoma; Pathological verification of UC was done by routine urological practice including endoscopic biopsy or surgical resection of urinary tract tumors followed by histopathological examination by board-certified pathologists.
Healthy controls group; Age and gender matched control subjects with no evidence of UC or any other malignancy were accrued from the hospital, recruiting people receiving adult health examinations at China Medical University Hospital.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
urothelial carcinoma	up to three years

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: China Medical University Hospital
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Chi-Jung Chung, PhD, Department of Health risk Management, China Medical University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: May 1, 2011
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): May 1, 2014

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 24, 2011
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 25, 2011
• First Posted (Estimate): May 26, 2011

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): May 27, 2011
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 26, 2011
• Last Verified: May 1, 2011

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Neoplasms; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial; Carcinoma; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell
• Other Study ID Numbers: DMR100-IRB-080