Diet, Activity, and Lifestyle Associations With p53 Mutations in Colon Tumors Slattery ML, Curtin K, Ma K, et al. The association between the p53 tumor suppression gene mutation, which is a common event in the development of colon cancer, and dietary and lifestyle factors was evaluated as part of a multicenter case-control study. The p53 mutational status was determined for a total of 1458 cases of colon cancer using single strand conformational polymorphism/sequencing of exons 5-8. The associations between those with mutations and those without were compared with a population-based group of controls (n = 2410). Comparisons were also made between cases with p53 mutations compared with cases without p53 mutations. Subjects with a p53 mutation were more likely to consume a Western-style diet compared with controls than were cases who were p53 wild type. Specific components of the diet were also found to be most strongly associated with p53 mutations, including a diet with a high glycemic load as well as foods high in red meat, fast food, and trans-fatty acid (mutation vs control, odds ratio = 1.92 95% CI = 1.47-2.50). Diets with a high glycemic load relative to the lowest intake were found to be significantly associated with missense mutations (OR = 1.69; 95% CI = 1.23-2.33, comparing p53+ to controls, and OR = 1.72; 95% CI = 1.19-2.50, comparing cases p53+ to cases of p53 wild type). Similar findings were seen with diets high in red meat, fast food and trans-fatty acid. The authors conclude that components of the Western diet -- namely, red meat and foods that increase glycemic load -- may play an important role in the process of the p53 disease. Clinical Commentary: This important study shows a clear association between specific features of the Western diet and the p53 tumor suppressor gene. Inactivation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene is a common event in the development of colon cancer. The strength of this study lies in the number of subjects studied and the case-control study design, although little information is provided on the dietary methodology used and the quality of the dietary data collected (eg, what was the extent of under-reporting?). It is important to note that the conclusions of the study need to be treated with some caution, i.e. that components of the Western-style diet are associated with the p53 disease pathway. This study provides no indication of the mechanisms involved in this association and the number of confounding factors controlled for were limited. Specific nutrient components, such as total fat intake and levels of particular vitamins and minerals, also were not investigated. This is a useful 'hypothesis-generating' study, and further research is certainly warranted in this area, particularly the role of fruit and vegetables (and other food components) as possible protective factors. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention. 2002;11(6):541-548 Medscape Journal Scan, 9/02 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.