The DREAM Cohort is a longitudinal observational study developed to enhance our understanding of how multiple exposures to environmental chemicals and pollutants across a diverse population of pregnant women and their offspring are linked to cancer risks. Because pregnancy induces multiple maternal hormonal and physiological changes that can increase cancer susceptibility to environmental chemical exposures, this study will focus on pregnancy as a period of particular vulnerability to toxic agents.
The environmental exposures will focus on two major components: Consumer product related chemicals (including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), phthalates and plasticizers, phenolic compounds, pesticides, and aromatic amines) measured via biomonitoring and prioritized based on widespread public exposure; and environmental pollutants in air and water, evaluated via geographic information system analyses of participants' residential histories. The study team will collect questionnaire data and biospecimen samples starting at the second trimester of pregnancy up until the child reaches four years of age. A Cohort Ambassador Program will also be established to invite participants across our three sites to provide continuous feedback which will be integrated into the research priorities.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
1,576
A questionnaire with content developed and tested in the investigator's previous reproductive and cancer epidemiology studies as part of the NIH Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) consortium will be used to collect information on primary established and hypothesized risk factors for cancer and additional covariates.
Collection of blood, urine, nails, hair, and saliva samples will be obtained during the participant encounters.
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California, United States
Fresno Community Regional Medical Center
Fresno, California, United States
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, California, United States
Assessment of levels of consumer product-related chemicals
Consumer product related chemicals measured via biomonitoring of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), phthalates and other plasticizers, phenolic compounds, pesticides, and aromatic amines will be assessed.
Time frame: Up to 4 years
Evaluation of endocrine system disruptions
Exposures to environmental chemicals that disrupt endocrine and related biological systems during pregnancy which may predispose women and children to cancer will be evaluated.
Time frame: Up to 4 years
Assessment of Inflammation/Immune modulation
Measures of peripheral whole blood using a standard laboratory procedure for Complete Blood Count (CBC) panel will be calculated to assess shifts in immune cell profiles indicative of inflammation and immune modulation.
Time frame: Up to 4 years
Impact of geographical environmental pollutants
The environmental pollutants found in air and water, as well as pesticide use, will be evaluated via geographic information system analyses of participants' residential history.
Time frame: Up to 4 years
Frequency of oxidative stress biomarkers
Oxidative Stress/DNA damage will be measured by seven oxidative stress biomarkers which reflect oxidative damage to DNA will be measured to determine overall assessment of oxidative damage to DNA: proteins and lipids (OSBs): (o,o -dityrosine (diY), 8-hydroxy-2 -deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), malondialdehyde (MDA), and four F2-isoprostane isomers (i.e., 8-isoprostaglandinF2α \[8-PGF2α\], 11β-prostaglandinF2α \[11-PGF2α\], 15(R)-prostaglandinF2α \[15-PGF2α\], and 8-iso,15(R)-prostaglandinF2α \[8,15-PGF2α\]) in maternal urine.
Time frame: Up to 4 years
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