# PREDIAGNOSTIC SERUM FACTORS AND CANCER INCIDENCE

> **NIH NIH R01** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 1987 · $142,054

## Abstract

The purpose of the proposed research is to examine the relationships of a
variety of serum factors to the development of human cancer in general and
at specific sites.  In particular, we will test a series of hypotheses
relating:  (a) serum levels of antioxidant vitamins (vitamin A, carotene,
and vitamin E) to cancer at all sites; (b) serum levels of selenium to
cancer at all sites; (c) serum hormones (estrogens and androgens,
progesterone, thyroxine, and TSH) to breast cancer in postmenopausal women;
(d) serum antibodies to cytomegalovirus and serum hormones to prostatic
cancer; and (e) serum antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus to Hodgkin's
disease.  To accomplish these objectives, we will utilize sera that were
collected and stored at -70 C in 1973 and again in 1978 from approximately
10,000 persons who participated in the Hypertension Detection and Follow-Up
Program (HDFP).  These participants already have been followed through
1981.  We propose to continue to follow participants at 11 of 14 HDFP
clinical centers for another five years, using mailed questionnaires and
telephone interviews.  Incident cancer cases will be identified and
documented with hospital records and/or death certificates.  Over the total
of 12 years of follow-up encompassed by this study, we estimate that we
will be able to analyze the prediagnostic serum from 530 individuals with
incident cancers, including 59 cases of breast cancer and 42 cases of
prostatic cancer.  Relevant serum analyses will be performed for these
cases and series of matched controls from the HDFP cohort.  Matched
analyses will be used to evaluate the relationships between exposures of
interest and risk of subsequent cancer.  Information from the HDFP data
base will be used to control for potential confounding variables.  The
long-term objective of this research is to determine the role of certain
vitamins, trace metals, hormones, and herpesviruses in the pathogenesis of
human cancer.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3172733
- **Project number:** 5R01CA034937-05
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FTMTDMBR29C7
- **Principal Investigator:** B FRANK POLK
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $142,054
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1983-05-15 → 1988-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3172733

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3172733, PREDIAGNOSTIC SERUM FACTORS AND CANCER INCIDENCE (5R01CA034937-05). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3172733. Licensed CC0.

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