Prediagnostic plasma polyphenol concentrations and colon cancer risk: The JPHC nested case-control study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Epidemiological studies that assessed the associations between dietary polyphenol intakes and colon cancer risk have reported largely null results, possibly due to measurement error associated with dietary assessment. We adopted an objective approach by measuring prediagnostic plasma concentrations of 35 polyphenols and assessing associations with colon cancer risk.

METHODS

We conducted a nested-case control study within the Japan Public Health Center-based prospective study (JPHC Study) utilizing plasma samples collected at the time of a five-year follow-up survey between 1995 and 1999. We identified colon cancer cases who developed cancer during the follow-up from the time of blood collection. Controls were matched by age, sex, area code, population size of the area, season of blood collection, year of blood collection, and duration of fasting time before the blood collection. Prediagnostic concentrations of 35 polyphenols from 375 incident colon cancer cases (followed until 2012) and 710 matched controls were measured by tandem mass spectrometry coupled with ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography. We used multivariable conditional logistic regression models adjusted for established colon cancer risk factors to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

In sexes combined log2-transformed multivariable models, circulating levels of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid (P = 0.02), ferulic acid (P = 0.02), and caffeic acid (P = 0.03) were inversely, and 3-hydroxybenzoic acid (P = 0.03) was positively, associated with colon cancer risk. For men only, circulating levels of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid was inversely, and 3,5-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid, gallic acid, (+)-epigallocatechin, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, and epicatechin were positively, associated with colon cancer risk. In women, plasma caffeic acid and ferulic acid concentration were inversely associated with colon cancer risk. However, all these associations were nonsignificant after adjustment for multiple comparisons. The remaining polyphenols were not associated with colon cancer risk.

CONCLUSION

Coffee-derived 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid, ferulic acid, and caffeic acid concentrations were inversely associated with colon cancer risk although the association were nonsignificant after adjustment for multiple comparisons. These results support a possible role of coffee polyphenols in preventing colorectal cancer.