Our research projects support the IGCPR mission by informing cancer prevention in populations with a disproportionate burden of cancer and incorporate capacity building and training to promote sustainability of our research programs.
Analytical Capacity Building for the Study of Tobacco Carcinogen Exposures in India
About
Cancer risks associated with the use of smokeless tobacco (SLT) products worldwide differ drastically. Variations in the amounts of cancer-causing chemical constituents present in SLT are believed to play a key role in determining the differences in the carcinogenic potential of SLT products. Better understanding of this relationship by linking carcinogen exposures from specific SLT products with particular health effects has been identified by the World Health Organization as one of the key research gaps in addressing the public health challenge of SLT. India, where nearly one third of the population uses various forms of SLT and oral/head and neck cancer (OHNC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death, represents both the area of critical need and the unique setting for such studies.
Our research is assessing the impact of carcinogen content in SLT products marketed in India on exposures and OHNC risk in users. In addition to generating novel scientific data, this study incorporates capacity building activities such as the development of analytical laboratory resources, training of young investigators from Mumbai in tobacco research and relevant procedures, and establishment of tobacco product and biospecimen repositories for future research. Our team includes established and new tobacco researchers and clinicians in Mumbai who are based in institutions with complementary backgrounds and resources, ensuring the long-lasting and comprehensive impact of this work.
Our long-term vision is that the capacity developed through this proposal will serve not only to expand relevant research by our collaborators and trainees in Mumbai, but also as a unique national/regional research and training resource in the field of tobacco carcinogenesis.
Our Team
Samir S. Khariwala, MD, MS, FACS
University of Minnesota
Irina Stepanov, PhD
University of Minnesota
Pankaj Chaturvedi, MD
Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, India
Co-Investigators
Vikram Gota, MD
ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, India
Prakash Gupta, PhD
Healis – Sekhsaria Institute of Public Health
Dorothy Hatsukami, PhD
University of Minnesota
Trainees
Hitesh Sanghvi
Tata Memorial Hospital
Sampada Nikam
ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre
Keyuri Adhikari
Healis – Sekhsaria Institute of Public Health
Project Publications
- Gupta PC, Ray CS, Papke RL, Stepanov I, Khariwala SS, Chaturvedi P, Gupte HA, Pednekar MS. (2018) Perspectives on areca nut with some global implications: Symposium report. Translational Research in Oral Oncology 3, 1-8. [cite]
- Singhavi, H., Ahluwalia, J. S., Stepanov, I., Gupta, P. C., Gota, V., Chaturvedi, P., and Khariwala, S. S. (2018) Tobacco carcinogen research to aid understanding of cancer risk and influence policy. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol 3, 372-376. [cite]