Page 10 - Hormel Report 2023

10 | THE HORMEL INSTITUTE // UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
CLINICAL STUDIES
The clinical research underway at The Hormel Institute is primarily focused on how certain environmental and genetic factors can influence cancer risk.
At The Hormel Institute, we understand the value of holding clinical studies in rural Minnesota, and will continue to expand our research efforts in this area. We are working with The Hormel Institute scientists to launch more studies soon, and we’re hoping to recruit participants for a new study in October—which would be the first internally driven study at The Hormel Institute.
TWO DRINK STUDY
Our first study at the Institute, called the “Two Drink Study,” began in January 2022. This study is in partnership with the Tobacco Research Programs at the University of Minnesota (UMN). Co-primary investigators (PIs) for this study are Dr. Dorthy Hatsukami and Dr. Stephen Hecht.
The Two Drink Study’s hypothesis is that the consumption of a certain vegetable drink, a rich source of a cancer chemopreventive agent, will enhance the detoxifi- cation of multiple environmental toxicants and carcinogens. In this blinded study, participants consume two different drinks to test the hypothesis.
If the hypothesis is found to be correct, this could lead to the production of an affordable, nourishing dietary component that could help prevent certain types of cancer.
10,000 FAMILIES STUDY
The Hormel Institute has also partnered with the 10,000 Families Study. The study intends to follow Minnesota families over time to understand how various factors like genetics, lifestyle, and the environment can influence human health and risks for particular illnesses.
The study will involve analyzing the prevalence and development of disease(s) among participants to identify risk factors that play either protective or harmful roles across generations—as well as how differences may display themselves within families and across communities.
THE SMOKING AND ALCOHOL STUDY
The third ongoing study at the Hormel Institute is the Smoking and Alcohol Study. It is also in collaboration with The Tobacco Research Programs, and Dr. Hecht is also its PI.
As you might infer from the title, this study is examining the impact of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption on the development of DNA damage in the oral cavity. Ultimately, The Smoking and Alcohol Study seeks to identify DNA damage that could increase the risk for cancers of the head and neck.
“Most studies are conducted in cities where the organization doing the study is located. This usually excludes rural populations due
to time and transportation issues. Having The Hormel Institute as a satellite site for studies originating at UMN and starting
our own studies helps ensure that rural Minnesotans are represented in research.”
Emily Heath
Clinical Research and Outreach Nurse