| 研究実績の概要 |
We established the first epidemiological study of childhood hematological cancers focusing on the examination of risk factors during pregnancy of the mother, birth characteristics, and early exposure to infections postnatally. This study, called the Epidemiological Study of Hematologic Cancers in Children (Epi-HCC), is a case-control study with patients (diagnosed aged <19 years with leukemia or lymphoma) recruited from 7 collaborating hospitals (n=270), and population controls recruited through the resident registration system (n=400). Data were collected using a questionnaire that included content recorded in the Maternal and Child Health Handbook. Saliva samples were collected with DNA extracted and stored for genomic analyses. Several data analysis projects are underway that address specific research questions. We have pursued an international collaborative analysis including 15 epidemiological studies of childhood leukemia conducted across 8 countries examining the association between infection during pregnancy and risk of childhood leukemia and results showed an increased risk of childhood leukemia associated with infectious episodes of the mother during pregnancy. In a genome-wide association analyses, we identified 8 genetic loci associated childhood leukemia risk. In an examination mental health issues in cancer survivors, approximately 25 percent report feeling fear and anxiety. Association analysis showed that older age at diagnosis, experiencing neurological symptoms, lower household income was associated with higher risk of feeling fear and anxiety.
|
