This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Rundle, A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Rundle, A.

Molecular Epidemiology of Physical Activity and Cancer

Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York

Requests for reprints: Andrew Rundle, Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, Room 730, New York NY 10040. Phone: 212-305-7619; Fax: 212-305-9413. E-mail:agr3{at}columbia.edu.

As in other areas of epidemiology, researchers studying physical activity and cancer have begun to include laboratory analyses of biological specimens in their studies. The incorporation of these "biomarkers" into epidemiology has been termed molecular epidemiology and is an approach primarily developed to study chemical carcinogens. Thus far, there has been no discussion in the field on how the established molecular epidemiologic framework might be adapted for research into physical activity, what methodologic needs exist, what the goals of such an approach might be, and what limitations exist. This article relates the literature on molecular epidemiology to the needs of physical activity research and tries to set research priorities for the field as it moves in this new direction. Although this approach will be very useful for investigating the mechanisms through which physical activity exerts effects, there are several challenges for physical activity epidemiologists in adapting molecular epidemiologic approaches. Primarily, there are currently no available biomarkers that might be considered measures of exposure or biologically effective dose. In addition, most available biomarkers of intermediate effects have been tested in training studies at activity levels much higher than those seen in population-based epidemiologic studies. Thus, it is not clear whether these biomarkers are valid at lower activity levels. Furthermore, the nature of the relationship between activity and many available biomarkers depends very much on the context of the activity. Addressing these issues should be a priority if we are to develop a molecular epidemiologic paradigm for studying physical activity.

Key Words: Physical activity • Molecular Epidemiology • Study Design • cancer

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Rundle, C. Richards, D. Tang, and F. Perera Lack of Association Between Physical Activity in Smokers and Plasma Glutathione Peroxidase Levels Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., April 1, 2008; 17(4): 1004 - 1006. [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. L. Campbell and A. McTiernan Exercise and Biomarkers for Cancer Prevention Studies J. Nutr., January 1, 2007; 137(1): 161S - 169S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]