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Genetic variation in the lactase gene, dairy product intake and risk for prostate cancer in the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition
Author(s) -
Travis Ruth C.,
Appleby Paul N.,
Siddiq Afshan,
Allen Naomi E.,
Kaaks Rudolf,
Canzian Federico,
Feller Silke,
Tjønneland Anne,
Føns Johnsen Nina,
Overvad Kim,
Ramón Quirós J.,
González Carlos A.,
Sánchez MariaJosé,
Larrañaga Nerea,
Chirlaque MariaDolores,
Barricarte Aurelio,
Khaw KayTee,
Wareham Nick,
Trichopoulou Antonia,
Valanou Elisavet,
Oustoglou Erifili,
Palli Domenico,
Sieri Sabina,
Tumino Rosario,
Sacerdote Carlotta,
BuenodeMesquita H. Bas.,
Stattin Pär,
Ferrari Pietro,
Johansson Mattias,
Norat Teresa,
Riboli Elio,
Key Timothy J
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.27836
Subject(s) - lactase , european prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition , prostate cancer , genotype , odds ratio , cancer , allele , medicine , prospective cohort study , oncology , biology , endocrinology , physiology , genetics , lactose , gene , food science
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.