Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors Related to Esophageal Cancer

Overview

RATIONALE: Gathering information about genes, cigarette smoking, and diet may help doctors learn more about risk factors that may cause esophageal cancer. PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying genetic and environmental risk factors related to esophageal cancer.

OBJECTIVES: * Examine the role of several genetically-determined factors in combination with cigarette smoking and diet in the etiology and prevention of esophageal cancer. * Identify polymorphisms in metabolizing enzymes (e.g., phase I or II metabolism \[GSTM1, GSTT1,CYP1A1, CYP3A5, mEH, NQO1, GSTP1\], DNA repair \[XRCC1, ERCC2\], free-radical formation \[MPO, MnSOD\], inflammatory genes \[ IL1-beta\], metastatic potential \[MMP1\], and cell cycle or tumor suppression \[p21, p53\]) and related path genes of susceptibility for esophageal cancer. OUTLINE: Blood and tumor tissue samples are collected. DNA purified from these samples is analyzed using DNA-based assays to determine polymorphisms in various related gene pathways. Patients complete questionnaires concerning environmental, smoking and diet habits. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 1,000 tissue samples from patients and healthy participants (750 patients and 250 healthy participants) will be accrued for this study.

Conditions

Eligibility

Locations (2)

Outcomes