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TerminatedNCT00481793Updated Dec 17, 2019

Relationship of Genetic Differences to the Development of Chromosome Abnormalities

An observational study in Radiation Exposure, sponsored by National Cancer Institute (NCI). Terminated at 1 site in Russian Federation. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2019-12-17.

Sponsored by National Cancer Institute (NCI) · Observational

Study type
Observational
Enrollment
361
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This is a collaborative study by the National Cancer Institute, Columbia University, and the Southern Urals Biophysics Institute in Russia. It will examine the relationship of differences in certain genes to the development of chromosomal abnormalities in workers at the Mayak nuclear production plant in Ozyorsk, Russia. This population was exposed to higher radiation doses from external and internal sources than those received by their counterparts in other countries or considered permissible today. If a risk relationship is found between genetic differences and chromosome abnormalities, the information might be useful in studies designed to examine how high radiation exposures cause cancer.

Radiation-exposed Mayak workers employed from 1948 to 1972 in the three Ozyorsk plants directly related to nuclear weapons production may be eligible for this study. They must have remained local residents in the area and estimates of their external and internal radiation exposures must be available.

Participants provide a blood sample for genetic studies and answer a questionnaire that includes demographic information and information about their family health history, history of benign tumors, if any, and history of smoking and alcohol consumption. Additional information is collected from patients' medical records.

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Read the detailed description

Greater understanding of the role of individual variation in response to radiation exposure might clarify the inconsistent relationship between radiation dose, intermediate markers of induced DNA damage, and subsequent cancer risk. REB proposes to collaborate with Columbia University and the Southern Urals Biophysics Institute to elucidate the contribution of germline genetic variation to the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in a cohort of Russian nuclear workers with notable and atypical radiation exposures. Our collaborators are utilizing a new biodosimetry method, termed mBAND, to measure intra-chromosomal aberrations, a potentially useful biomarker of exposure to high linear energy transfer radiation such as plutonium. In addition, they will assess inter-chromosomal aberrations using mFISH (multicolor fluorescent insitu hybridization). As factors other than radiation dose may influence aberration frequency, REB proposes to add to this DOE-funded study an investigation of germline genetic variation in DNA repair and other genes in relation to aberration risk. Mayak nuclear workers (n = approximately 350) employed from 1948-72 will receive a short questionnaire and have a blood sample drawn while receiving routine annual medical exams. Germline genotype will be assessed as a risk factor for chromosome aberration frequency. In this study, we have the opportunity to address scientific questions regarding radiation carcinogenesis mechanisms at relatively little cost in a population with rare, higher dose exposures.

02

Conditions studied

  • Radiation Exposure

Keywords

  • Plutonium
  • Ionizing Radiation
  • Polymorphism
  • Biological Marker
  • Russia
03

In context

Lead sponsor

National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the lead sponsor of 3,506 studies on the registry; 334 are open to participants now.

Of its 402 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 365 (91%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
Child (0–17), Adult (18–64), Older adult (65+)
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Eligibility criteria

  • INCLUSION CRITERIA - EXPOSED POPULATION:

Individuals eligible to be included in the 'exposed' population include all those employed from 1948-1972 in the three plants directly related to nuclear-weapon production (nuclear reactor, radiochemical production plant, plutonium production plant), who have remained local residents, and who have estimates of their external gamma dose and internal plutonium exposure.

Some eligible workers did not have any plutonium exposure, but are still eligible to be included in the exposed sample due to their external radiation exposure.

All participants are required to be cancer-free at the time of enrollment.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA - EXPOSED POPULATION:

Individuals who have a medical history of radiation therapy or a blood transfusion within the previous year will be excluded.

As the sample size would not be adequate to examine their risk separately, Tartars and Bashkirs will not be included in the study.

INCLUSION CRITERIA - COMPARISON GROUP:

The comparison population will be drawn from current and former workers in the auxiliary plants (water treatment facility and mechanical repair plant) at the Mayak facility.

Included will be a stratified random sample of these workers who were employed from 1948-1972, who have remained local residents, and who have estimates of their external gamma dose.

Individuals selected will be frequency-matched according to age (5 year age groups) and gender to the exposed worker population.

05

Study design

Enrollment
361 participants (actual)
06

Study locations

1 site
  • Southern Urals Biophysics Institute
    Ozyorsk, Russian Federation
07

References and documents

Publications

  • Bonassi S, Hagmar L, Stromberg U, Montagud AH, Tinnerberg H, Forni A, Heikkila P, Wanders S, Wilhardt P, Hansteen IL, Knudsen LE, Norppa H. Chromosomal aberrations in lymphocytes predict human cancer independently of exposure to carcinogens. European Study Group on Cytogenetic Biomarkers and Health. Cancer Res. 2000 Mar 15;60(6):1619-25. PubMed 10749131 ↗
  • Cardis E, Gilbert ES, Carpenter L, Howe G, Kato I, Armstrong BK, Beral V, Cowper G, Douglas A, Fix J, et al. Effects of low doses and low dose rates of external ionizing radiation: cancer mortality among nuclear industry workers in three countries. Radiat Res. 1995 May;142(2):117-32. PubMed 7724726 ↗
  • Dupont WD, Plummer WD Jr. Power and sample size calculations for studies involving linear regression. Control Clin Trials. 1998 Dec;19(6):589-601. doi: 10.1016/s0197-2456(98)00037-3. PubMed 9875838 ↗
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Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Dec 17, 2019, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT00481793
Lead sponsor
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
First posted
Jun 4, 2007
Start date
Jun 9, 2004
Completion
Sep 17, 2014
Last update
Dec 17, 2019

Study contacts

Martha Linet, M.D.
principal investigator · National Cancer Institute (NCI)
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is terminated, as verified in Sep 2014. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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