Endometrial cancer risk and trends among distinct African descent populations

BACKGROUND

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the fourth most common cancer among Black women in the United States, a population disproportionately affected by aggressive nonendometrioid subtypes (e.g., serous, carcinosarcoma). To examine EC vulnerability among a wider spectrum of African descent populations, a comparison between Black women residing in different countries, rather than in the United States alone, is needed.

METHODS

The authors analyzed 34,789 EC cases from Florida (FL) (2005-2018), Martinique (2005-2018), and Guadeloupe (2008-2018) based on cancer registry data. Age-adjusted incidence rates, incidence rate ratios (IRRs), and annual percent changes (APC) in trends were estimated for Black populations residing in the United States (non-Hispanic Blacks [NHB]) and Caribbean. The US non-Hispanic White (NHW) population was used as a reference.

RESULTS

Caribbean Black women had the lowest rates for endometrioid and nonendometrioid subtypes. Nonendometrioid types were most common among US (FL) NHBs (9.2 per 100,000), 2.6 times greater than NHWs (IRR, 2.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.44-2.76). For endometrioid EC, rates increased 1.8% (95% CI, 0.1-3.5) yearly from 2005 to 2018 for US (FL) NHBs and 1.2% (95% CI, 0.9-1.6) for US (FL) NHWs whereas no change was observed for Caribbean Blacks. For nonendometroid carcinomas, rates increased 5.6% (95% CI, 4.0-7.2) among US (FL) NHB, 4.4% (95% CI, 0.3-8.6) for Caribbean Black, and 3.9% for US (FL) NHW women (95% CI, 2.4-5.5).

CONCLUSIONS

Lower rates of nonendometrioid EC among Caribbean Black women suggest that vulnerability for these aggressive tumor subtypes may not currently be an overarching African ancestry disparity. Most importantly, there is an alarmingly increasing trend in nonendometrioid across all populations studied, which warrants further surveillance and etiological research for this particular subtype.

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY

We analyze population-based incidence rates and trends of endometrial cancer (EC) for African descent populations residing in different countries (i.e., United States, Martinique, Guadeloupe) to examine whether EC vulnerability among Black women is socio-environmental or more ancestry-specific in nature. The increased EC risk was not uniform across all Black women since the Caribbean had the lowest rates (for endometrioid and nonendometrioid histology subtypes). Regardless, from 2005 to 2018, there was an increasing trajectory of nonendometrioid EC for all groups, regardless of race.

Global survival trends for brain tumors, by histology: analysis of individual records for 556,237 adults diagnosed in 59 countries during 2000-2014 (CONCORD-3)

BACKGROUND

Survival is a key metric of the effectiveness of a health system in managing cancer. We set out to provide a comprehensive examination of worldwide variation and trends in survival from brain tumors in adults, by histology.

METHODS

We analyzed individual data for adults (15-99 years) diagnosed with a brain tumor (ICD-O-3 topography code C71) during 2000-2014, regardless of tumor behavior. Data underwent a 3-phase quality control as part of CONCORD-3. We estimated net survival for 11 histology groups, using the unbiased nonparametric Pohar Perme estimator.

RESULTS

The study included 556,237 adults. In 2010-2014, the global range in age-standardized 5-year net survival for the most common sub-types was broad: in the range 20%-38% for diffuse and anaplastic astrocytoma, from 4% to 17% for glioblastoma, and between 32% and 69% for oligodendroglioma. For patients with glioblastoma, the largest gains in survival occurred between 2000-2004 and 2005-2009. These improvements were more noticeable among adults diagnosed aged 40-70 years than among younger adults.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the largest account to date of global trends in population-based survival for brain tumors by histology in adults. We have highlighted remarkable gains in 5-year survival from glioblastoma since 2005, providing large-scale empirical evidence on the uptake of chemoradiation at population level. Worldwide, survival improvements have been extensive, but some countries still lag behind. Our findings may help clinicians involved in national and international tumor pathway boards to promote initiatives aimed at more extensive implementation of clinical guidelines.

KaruBioNet: a network and discussion group for a better collaboration and structuring of bioinformatics in Guadeloupe (French West Indies)

Summary

Sequencing and other biological data are now more frequently available and at a lower price. Mutual tools and strategies are needed to analyze the huge amount of heterogeneous data generated by several research teams and devices. Bioinformatics represents a growing field in the scientific community globally. This multidisciplinary field provides a great amount of tools and methods that can be used to conduct scientific studies in a more strategic way. Coordinated actions and collaborations are needed to find more innovative and accurate methods for a better understanding of real-life data. A wide variety of organizations are contributing to KaruBioNet in Guadeloupe (French West Indies), a Caribbean archipelago. The purpose of this group is to foster collaboration and mutual aid among people from different disciplines using a 'one health' approach, for a better comprehension and surveillance of humans, plants or animals' health and diseases. The KaruBioNet network particularly aims to help researchers in their studies related to 'omics' data, but also more general aspects concerning biological data analysis. This transdisciplinary network is a platform for discussion, sharing, training and support between scientists interested in bioinformatics and related fields. Starting from a little archipelago in the Caribbean, we envision to facilitate exchange between other Caribbean partners in the future, knowing that the Caribbean is a region with non-negligible biodiversity which should be preserved and protected. Joining forces with other Caribbean countries or territories would strengthen scientific collaborative impact in the region. Information related to this network can be found at: http://www.pasteur-guadeloupe.fr/karubionet.html. Furthermore, a dedicated 'Galaxy KaruBioNet' platform is available at: http://calamar.univ-ag.fr/c3i/galaxy_karubionet.html. Availability and implementation Information about KaruBioNet is availabe at: http://www.pasteur-guadeloupe.fr/karubionet.html.

Contact

dcouvin@pasteur-guadeloupe.fr.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Advances online.

Heterogeneity in head and neck cancer incidence among black populations from Africa, the Caribbean and the USA: Analysis of cancer registry data by the AC3

BACKGROUND

Africa and the Caribbean are projected to have greater increases in Head and neck cancer (HNC) burden in comparison to North America and Europe. The knowledge needed to reinforce prevention in these populations is limited. We compared for the first time, incidence rates of HNC in black populations from African, the Caribbean and USA.

METHODS

Annual age-standardized incidence rates (IR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) per 100,000 were calculated for 2013-2015 using population-based cancer registry data for 14,911 HNC cases from the Caribbean (Barbados, Guadeloupe, Trinidad & Tobago, N = 443), Africa (Kenya, Nigeria, N = 772) and the United States (SEER, Florida, N = 13,696). We compared rates by sub-sites and sex among countries using data from registries with high quality and completeness.

RESULTS

In 2013-2015, compared to other countries, HNC incidence was highest among SEER states (IR: 18.2, 95%CI = 17.6-18.8) among men, and highest in Kenya (IR: 7.5, 95%CI = 6.3-8.7) among women. Nasopharyngeal cancer IR was higher in Kenya for men (IR: 3.1, 95%CI = 2.5-3.7) and women (IR: 1.5, 95%CI = 1.0-1.9). Female oral cavity cancer was also notably higher in Kenya (IR = 3.9, 95%CI = 3.0-4.9). Blacks from SEER states had higher incidence of laryngeal cancer (IR: 5.5, 95%CI = 5.2-5.8) compared to other countries and even Florida blacks (IR: 4.4, 95%CI = 3.9-5.0).

CONCLUSION

We found heterogeneity in IRs for HNC among these diverse black populations; notably, Kenya which had distinctively higher incidence of nasopharyngeal and female oral cavity cancer. Targeted etiological investigations are warranted considering the low consumption of tobacco and alcohol among Kenyan women. Overall, our findings suggest that behavioral and environmental factors are more important determinants of HNC than race.

Frequent high-risk HPV co-infections excluding types 16 or 18 in cervical neoplasia in Guadeloupe

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer is the fourth cancer worldwide. The Human Papilloma Virus is responsible for 99% of the cases but the distribution of its genotypes varies among populations. We aimed to identify HPV genotypes distribution in women with grade 2/3 cervical intraepithelial dysplasia or invasive cervical cancer in Guadeloupe, a French Caribbean territory with a population mainly of African descent.

METHODS

We used paraffin-embedded tumors for viral DNA extraction from women diagnosed between 2014 and 2016 and identified by the population-based cancer registry. The HPV Genotyping was performed with the InnoLIPA HPV Genotyping Extra kit®.

RESULTS

Overall, 213 samples out of the 321 eligible records were analyzed. The HPV status was positive for 94% of the cases. The five most common oncogenic HPV genotypes were HPV31 (47%), HPV33 (38%), HPV16 (32%), HPV44 (31%) and HPV26 (28%). HPV18 was found in only in 5% of the cases. Among the studied cases, 94% had multiple infections. More than 60% of single infections were HPV16-related, accounting for 35% of HPV16 infections.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show a different distribution of oncogenic HPVs in Guadeloupe with "31 >  33 > 16" and a high frequency of multiple infections. Despite a lower coverage, the nine-valent vaccine is nevertheless adequate.

[Epidemiology and incidence of primary lung cancer in a region with low tobacco consumption: Guadeloupe (French West Indies). Data from the cancer registry 2008-2009]

INTRODUCTION

Few data are available about primary lung cancer in the Caribbean. The purpose of this study was to provide, for the first time, the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of primary lung cancer in the archipelago of Guadeloupe (French West Indies).

METHODS

From the cancer registry, we identified in this retrospective study, all incident cases of primary lung cancer that had occurred between 1st January 2008 and 31st December 2009 in Guadeloupe.

RESULTS

Over the period from 2008 to 2009, 106 patients with primary lung cancer were identified. Males accounted for 72.6% and the women for 27.4%. Mean incidence rate over the 2 years was estimated at 13.4/100000 persons-years (95% CI: [6.0-20.8]) in men (world standardized) and 4.2/100000 persons-years (95% CI: [0.3-8.1]) in women. The median age at initial diagnosis was 65 years for men and 66 years for women. We noted a proportion of 61.3% of current smokers, 4.7% of passive smokers and 34% of non-smokers. The comorbidities were present in 41% of patients. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounted for 88.7% of lung cancers and small cell lung cancer for 7.5%. The most common histological type was adenocarcinoma (43%) followed by squamous cell (24%). Stage III and IV patients accounted for 64.1% of individuals with NSCLC.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of primary lung cancer in Guadeloupe is relatively low compared to metropolitan France. Guadeloupe is also a French department where the rate of tobacco consumption is one of the lowest.