Sick Kids researchers link maternal folic acid intake to decrease in deadly childh...( the province. This study shows ...)

"This study shows the benefit of a population-based approach to studying childhood cancer, as we can look at trends and possible prevention strategies," said Dr. Mark Greenberg, a senior staff oncologist at Sick Kids, holder of the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) Chair in Childhood Cancer Control, and a professor of Paediatrics and Surgery at U of T.

The research team also looked at the effect maternal folic acid intake had on infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia and hepablastoma, two childhood cancers that also have embryonal origins. However, no decline in these cancers was noted after the folic acid food fortification program was introduced.

"We need to investigate further the role of metabolism in the formation and prevention of neuroblastoma and other cancers that develop in utero. We will also look at whether folic acid has an impact on neuroblastoma after the cancer has already developed," added Dr. Koren.

Other members of the research team included Amy French, the study's lead author, a U of T graduate student, and the recipient of a National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada scholarship and the ASCPT Presidential Student Award, Drs. Ron Grant, Sheila Weitzman, and Lillian Sung, all from The Hospital for Sick Children, and Dr. Joel Ray and Marian Vermeulen from Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre.

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Contact: Laura Greer
laura.greer@sickkids.ca
416-813-5046
University of Toronto
25-Sep-2003