Research on the application of molecular epidemiology in the prediction and prognosis of cancer

Abstract

Background: Molecular epidemiology is a novel subject that integrates molecular biology and basic epidemiology. However, how it is used in specific practical studies, and how it helps to discover causes, explore risk factors, and ultimately protect, remains an unclear explanation. Hence, this study aims to display how molecular epidemiological runs in cancer research through two practical studies: ‘The relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms and skin cancer susceptibility’ and ‘The treatment effect of hydrogen gas on lung cancer’. Method: 1) We assessed the expression of LINC-PINT and lincRNA-P21 in lung cancer cells after 0%, 5% and 10% hydrogen gas in the three-time groups. 2) 275 SNPs associated with skin cancer were analysed by genotype and phenotype models. Results: 1) The expression of LINC-PINT and lincRNA-P21 upregulation with the H2 concentration; 2) LINC-PINT expression decreased in a relatively long H2 time; 3) The expression of lincRNA-P21 declined with the H2 concentration; 4)The minor alleles of rs2228570 and rs13181, wildtype and heterozygous genotypes of rs475007 and the mutated homozygous genotype of rs238406 were most likely to be associated with skin cancer. Conclusions: These two real research examples explained how molecular epidemiology works.