This will be the first comprehensive study to identify how diet can affect cancer risk via blood proteins with specific functional roles. By studying how these proteins may link diet to cancer, we can generate reliable evidence and gain novel insight into understanding cancer development and prevention.
– Dr Tammy Tong
Background
Certain foods and nutrients have been linked to the likelihood of developing cancer. However, the reasons for these links are not fully understood. Proteomics is a technology that measures thousands of molecules called proteins in the blood. These proteins are essential for the normal functioning of the body, such as building and repairing tissues and controlling chemical reactions. Disruption of these processes can result in diseases. Information on these blood proteins has become available for the first time in large population studies. We have recently found striking differences in blood protein levels between vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores, which strongly suggests that diet influences levels of some blood proteins. We have also found that some of these proteins may be linked to cancer development. However, we do not have a full picture of how specific dietary factors may affect blood proteins, and subsequently, cancer development. To improve our understanding of these possible pathways, further research is needed to identify blood proteins that are influenced by diet, and in turn how these proteins may alter cancer risk.
Aims and objectives
We propose an in-depth study of diet, blood proteins, and cancer risk by investigating many dietary factors and blood proteins. This will provide a comprehensive understanding of how diet and blood proteins might jointly affect cancer development. We will examine how different dietary factors influence the levels of 9,000 proteins in the blood. We will also assess whether these blood proteins are likely to affect cancer risk. By bringing together the results from these studies, we aim to build a detailed understanding of how diet may affect cancer risk via the biological effects of blood proteins.
How it will be done
We will use information collected from participants in large studies in the UK and Europe, namely the UK Biobank and European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). UK Biobank has data on around 3,000 proteins in blood samples collected at recruitment from 54,000 people, while EPIC has data on over 6,400 blood proteins in 18,000 people. Participants also provided detailed information on diet and other lifestyle factors and gave consent to be followed-up for subsequent cancer diagnoses and death. Together, the two studies will provide information on around 9,000 unique blood proteins. Advanced statistical methods will be used to disentangle the relationships between dietary factors, blood proteins and cancer risk.
Potential impact
This study will provide novel insights into the links between diet, blood proteins and cancer, and help us further understand the precise role of diet in cancer development. Many drugs can alter blood protein levels, so this work may also uncover new drug targets for cancer prevention in high-risk populations. We will share the results via peer-reviewed publications, in lay summaries for popular media, blogs and video summaries, and through public workshops. Together, the findings from this research will help us to better understand why cancer develops and how to prevent it through optimal dietary choices.