Brain tumor risk according to germ-line variation in the MLLT10 locus.

Genome-wide association studies have recently identified a cancer susceptibility locus at 10p12 mapping to MLLT10 associated with the onset of diverse tumors. We genotyped two tightly linked single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at MLLT10 associated with meningioma (rs12770228) or ovarian cancer (rs1243180), and tested for associations among 295 meningioma cases, 606 glioma cases and 646 noncancer controls, all of European descent. The variant 'A' allele in MLLT10 rs12770228 was associated with an increased risk of meningioma (per allele odds ratio: 1.

Reproductive factors and risk of primary brain tumors in women.

Gender-specific incidence patterns and the presence of hormonal receptors on tumor cells suggest that sex hormones may play a role in the onset of primary brain tumors. However, epidemiological studies on the relation of hormonal risk factors to the risk of brain tumors have been inconsistent. We examined the role of reproductive factors in the onset of glioma and meningioma in a case-control study conducted in the Southeastern US that included 507 glioma cases, 247 meningioma cases, and 695 community-based and friend controls.

Circadian pathway genes in relation to glioma risk and outcome.

Purpose: There is growing evidence that circadian disruption may alter risk and aggressiveness of cancer. We evaluated common genetic variants in the circadian gene pathway for associations with glioma risk and patient outcome in a US clinic-based case-control study.

Methods: Subjects were genotyped for 17 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms in ARNTL, CRY1, CRY2, CSNK1E, KLHL30, NPAS2, PER1, PER3, CLOCK, and MYRIP.

Toenail iron, genetic determinants of iron status, and the risk of glioma.

Purpose: Iron is essential for oxygen transport and oxidative metabolism; however, elevated iron stores can trigger overproduction of reactive oxygen species and induce DNA damage. Little is known about the association between body iron stores and glioma risk. This study examined the associations of iron levels measured in toenails and genetic variants linked to body iron stores with risk of glioma in a clinic-based case-control study.

Early life exposures and the risk of adult glioma.

Exposure to common infections in early life may stimulate immune development and reduce the risk for developing cancer. Birth order and family size are proxies for the timing of exposure to childhood infections with several studies showing a reduced risk of glioma associated with a higher order of birth (and presumed younger age at infection). The aim of this study was to examine whether birth order, family size, and other early life exposures are associated with the risk of glioma in adults using data collected in a large clinic-based US case-control study including 889 glioma cases and 903 community controls.

Prediagnostic body weight and survival in high grade glioma.

Greater adiposity has been linked to an increased risk and/or poorer survival in a variety of cancers. We examined whether prediagnostic body weight 1-5 years prior to diagnosis is associated with survival in patients with high grade glioma. The analysis was based on a series of patients with high-grade glioma (N = 853) enrolled in a US-based multicenter case-control study.

Anthropometric factors in relation to risk of glioma.

Introduction: Increased height and greater adiposity have been linked to an increased risk of many cancer types, though few large studies have examined these associations in glioma. We examined body weight and height as potential risk factors for glioma in a large US-based case-control study.

Methods: The analysis included 1,111 glioma cases and 1,096 community controls.

SWI/SNF gene variants and glioma risk and outcome.

Background: The human SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complex plays essential roles in a variety of cellular processes and has been implicated in human cancer. However, the role of germline genetic variants in this complex in relation to cancer risk is not well studied.

Methods: We assessed the association of 16 variants in the catalytic subunits (SMARCA2 and SMARCA4) of the SWI/SNF complex with the risk of glioma subtypes (lower grade astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma and glioblastoma [GBM]) and with mortality from high-grade tumors (GBM) in a multicenter US case-control study that included 561 cases and 574 controls.

An exploratory analysis of common genetic variants in the vitamin D pathway including genome-wide associated variants in relation to glioma risk and outcome.

Purpose: Experimental and epidemiological evidence shows a beneficial role of vitamin D in cancer. In vitro evidence is consistent with a similar protective function in glioma; however, no study has yet examined the potential role of vitamin D in glioma.

Methods: We evaluated the association between common genetic variants in the vitamin D pathway and glioma risk and patient outcome in 622 newly diagnosed glioma cases and 628 healthy controls enrolled in a clinic-based case-control study.

Rare TP53 genetic variant associated with glioma risk and outcome.

Validation of a recent finding linking a rare variant in TP53 to the risk of glioma, the most common primary brain tumour, is reported here. This study genotyped the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs78378222 in 566 glioma cases and 603 controls. The variant 'C' allele (with an allelic frequency of 1.

SSBP2 variants are associated with survival in glioblastoma patients.

Purpose: Glioblastoma is a devastating, incurable disease with few known prognostic factors. Here, we present the first genome-wide survival and validation study for glioblastoma.

Experimental Design: Cox regressions for survival with 314,635 inherited autosomal single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) among 315 San Francisco Adult Glioma Study patients for discovery and three independent validation data sets [87 Mayo Clinic, 232 glioma patients recruited from several medical centers in Southeastern United States (GliomaSE), and 115 The Cancer Genome Atlas patients] were used to identify SNPs associated with overall survival for Caucasian glioblastoma patients treated with the current standard of care, resection, radiation, and temozolomide (total n = 749).

Keys to successful diabetes self-management for uninsured patients: social support, observational learning, and turning points: a safety net providers' strategic alliance study.

Objective: To examine how medically uninsured patients who receive health care at federally qualified health centers and free clinics are able to successfully self-manage diabetes compared to patients who are less successful.

Methods: Two distinct groups of patients with diabetes for 6 months or longer were enrolled: (1) successful, defined as those with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 7% or less or a recent improvement of at least 2% (n=17); and (2) unsuccessful, defined as patients with HbAlc of at least 9% (n=9) and without recent improvement. Patients were interviewed about enabling factors, motivators, resources, and barriers to diabetes self-management.

Cancer susceptibility variants and the risk of adult glioma in a US case-control study.

Malignant gliomas are the most common and deadly brain tumors. Although their etiology remains elusive, recent studies have narrowed the search for genetic loci that influence risk. We examined variants implicated in recent cancer genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for associations with glioma risk in a US case-control study.