FOXE1 Polymorphism Interacts with Dietary Iodine Intake in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Risk in the Cuban Population

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Nutritional Science
• Genetics

Background:

• Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) incidence is low in Cuba.
• Dietary factors' contribution to DTC in the Cuban population remains under-investigated.
• This study explores dietary iodine, environmental factors, and genetic interactions in DTC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the relationship between dietary iodine intake and DTC risk in Cuba.
• To investigate potential interactions between dietary factors, environmental influences, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DTC development.
• To assess the role of specific genetic variations in DTC risk related to iodine consumption.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study was conducted in Cuba involving 203 DTC cases and 212 controls.
• Dietary intake was assessed using questionnaires and a photo booklet, with a custom food composition table.
• Statistical analysis included stratification by age and sex, adjusted for energy, smoking, ethnicity, education, pregnancies, and body surface area.

Main Results:

• Increased fish consumption was significantly associated with reduced DTC risk (p=0.04).
• No overall association was found between total dietary iodine intake and DTC risk (p=0.7).
• DTC risk was positively associated with the minor allele (A) of SNP rs965513 near FOXE1 in individuals with below-median iodine intake (p=0.005).

Conclusions:

• Most of the study population exhibited optimal dietary iodine intake.
• High fish consumption inversely correlates with DTC risk.
• The minor allele of SNP rs965513 is linked to increased DTC risk among those with lower iodine consumption, warranting further investigation with pre-diagnostic data.