UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective: (1) Establish the protocols for collection and banking of OPC and OPC-free patient data and biological specimens by a team of interdisciplinary researchers. (2) Summarize preliminary results of the demographic, behavioral, genetic, socio-economic, and patterns of care factors that may contribute to OPC in SC adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional study with a nested case-control study is being conducted with hospital-based adult participants. Study population is fifty OPC cases who present to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Hollings Cancer Center (HCC) for surgical treatment and 50 OPC-free patients who present to MUSC with obstructive sleep apnea for surgical treatment.

Data collection takes place at two times, pre-surgery and at surgery, and includes use of questionnaires, dental and periodontal measurements, and biological specimens including oral soft tissue, buccal mucosal cells, saliva, urine, and blood. The questionnaire contains the following domains: tobacco use, alcohol use, diet and physical activity, socio-economic status, and patterns of care. Laboratory tests include identification of markers of alcohol use, dietary nitrates/nitrites, flavonoid enzymes, and oral microbial composition including human papillomavirus and yeasts.

Data will be analyzed using SAS, STATA, and/or SPSS. Analyses will include univariate, bivariate, and multiple regression techniques.

Results: OPC case and OPC-free control results will be compared to identify demographic, behavioral, genetic, socio-economic, and patterns of care factors that may contribute to OPC. This study will guide the development of tailored interventions based upon evidence of the causes and conditions for OPC in South Carolina adults.