PATH Study Analysis Assays of Multiple Analytes

Principal Investigators: Alim Seit-Nebi and Dana van Bemmel

Funding Mechanism: Research Contract

ID Number: HHSF223201510013C

Award Date: 5/15/2015

Institution: GenWay Biotech Incorporated, Inc

The Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study is a longitudinal, nationally representative study of tobacco use and health in the U.S. population. A cohort of approximately 46,000 adults and youth ages 12 years and older are followed annually for three years to assess use of conventional and emerging tobacco products, attitudes and perceptions related to the use of different tobacco products, and near- and longer-term health outcomes associated with tobacco product use. The study includes the collection of biospecimens (urine, whole blood, and buccal cells) from adults (ages 18 and older) to examine biomarkers of tobacco exposure and tobacco-related disease processes. The goal of this project is to measure biomarkers of tobacco exposure and harm in PATH Study participant samples. Levels of interleukin 6 (Il-6) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-associated inflammation (sICAM) will be measured in plasma using standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assays. Fibrinogen activity will be measured in serum using the Clauss assay. These data will be sent to the PATH Study data repository and merged with the main study instrument for future analyses. Results from this project may inform FDA on behaviors and exposures related to tobacco use.