Journal article

Melanocortin-1 receptor, skin cancer and phenotypic characteristics (M-SKIP) project: Study design and methods for pooling results of genetic epidemiological studies

S Raimondi, S Gandini, MC Fargnoli, V Bagnardi, P Maisonneuve, C Specchia, R Kumar, E Nagore, J Han, J Hansson, PA Kanetsky, P Ghiorzo, NA Gruis, T Dwyer, L Blizzard, R Fernandez-De-Misa, W Branicki, T Debniak, N Morling, MT Landi Show all

BMC Medical Research Methodology | BMC | Published : 2012

Abstract

Background: For complex diseases like cancer, pooled-analysis of individual data represents a powerful tool to investigate the joint contribution of genetic, phenotypic and environmental factors to the development of a disease. Pooled-analysis of epidemiological studies has many advantages over meta-analysis, and preliminary results may be obtained faster and with lower costs than with prospective consortia. Design and methods. Based on our experience with the study design of the Melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene, SKin cancer and Phenotypic characteristics (M-SKIP) project, we describe the most important steps in planning and conducting a pooled-analysis of genetic epidemiological studies...

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