Low Folate Levels Linked to Bladder Cancer

HOUSTON--Researchers from the University of Texas reported individuals have a three-fold risk for developing bladder cancer if they are especially susceptible to genetic damage to their cells and do not consume enough dietary folate. The study was to be presented April 8 at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), but the meeting was cancelled due to the concern of SARS. However, the information is available online in the March edition of the Proceedings of the AACR (http://aacr03.agora.com/planner).

The study's authors, led by Xifeng Wu, M.D., Ph.D., worked off the knowledge that folate deficiency is associated with cytogenetic damage and mutations, with an increased risk for DNA strand breakage and chromosomal aberrations. Using an ongoing case-control study, researchers collected epidemiological data on 272 newly diagnosed and untreated bladder cancer cases, in addition to data on 257 healthy controls.

The controls reported a statistically higher intake of dietary folate compared to the bladder cancer group; in addition, researchers observed a link between DNA damage and low folate intake. Also, those with high folate intake and a large number of select DNA repair polymorphisms had a lower incidence of bladder cancer than those with low levels of both folate and DNA repair polymorphisms.

Matthew Schabath, a predoctoral researcher and study author, said the body's ability to fix errant changes in DNA is critical in maintaining normal genetic structure. "A good prevention practice would be to limit exposure to DNA damaging agents and to eat foods containing folic acid . to reduce the risk of developing bladder cancer," he said.