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Blechter B, Wong JYY, Chien LH, Shiraishi K, Shu XO, Cai Q, Zheng W, Ji BT, Hu W, Rahman ML, Jiang HF, Tsai FY, Huang WY, Gao YT, Han X, Steinwandel MD, Yang G, Daida YG, Liang SY, Gomez SL, DeRouen MC, Diver WR, Reddy AG, Patel AV, Le Marchand L, Haiman C, Kohno T, Cheng I, Chang IS, Hsiung CA, Rothman N, Lan Q. Age at lung cancer diagnosis in females versus males who never smoke by race and ethnicity. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:1286-1294. [PMID: 38388856 PMCID: PMC11014844 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02592-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We characterized age at diagnosis and estimated sex differences for lung cancer and its histological subtypes among individuals who never smoke. METHODS We analyzed the distribution of age at lung cancer diagnosis in 33,793 individuals across 8 cohort studies and two national registries from East Asia, the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK). Student's t-tests were used to assess the study population differences (Δ years) in age at diagnosis comparing females and males who never smoke across subgroups defined by race/ethnicity, geographic location, and histological subtypes. RESULTS We found that among Chinese individuals diagnosed with lung cancer who never smoke, females were diagnosed with lung cancer younger than males in the Taiwan Cancer Registry (n = 29,832) (Δ years = -2.2 (95% confidence interval (CI):-2.5, -1.9), in Shanghai (n = 1049) (Δ years = -1.6 (95% CI:-2.9, -0.3), and in Sutter Health and Kaiser Permanente Hawai'i in the US (n = 82) (Δ years = -11.3 (95% CI: -17.7, -4.9). While there was a suggestion of similar patterns in African American and non-Hispanic White individuals. the estimated differences were not consistent across studies and were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS We found evidence of sex differences for age at lung cancer diagnosis among individuals who never smoke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Batel Blechter
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA.
| | - Jason Y Y Wong
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Li-Hsin Chien
- Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Chung-Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li, Taiwan
| | - Kouya Shiraishi
- Division of Genome Biology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Clinical Genomics, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Xiao-Ou Shu
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Qiuyin Cai
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Wei Zheng
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Bu-Tian Ji
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Wei Hu
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Mohammad L Rahman
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Hsin-Fang Jiang
- Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Fang-Yu Tsai
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Yi Huang
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Yu-Tang Gao
- Department of Epidemiology, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
| | - Xijing Han
- Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Mark D Steinwandel
- Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Gong Yang
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Yihe G Daida
- Center for Integrated Health Care Research, Kaiser Permanente Hawai'i, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Su-Ying Liang
- Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute, Sutter Health, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Scarlett L Gomez
- Greater Bay Area Cancer Registry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mindy C DeRouen
- Greater Bay Area Cancer Registry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - W Ryan Diver
- Department of Population Science, American Cancer Society, Kennesaw, GA, USA
| | - Ananya G Reddy
- Department of Population Science, American Cancer Society, Kennesaw, GA, USA
| | - Alpa V Patel
- Department of Population Science, American Cancer Society, Kennesaw, GA, USA
| | | | - Christopher Haiman
- Greater Bay Area Cancer Registry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Takashi Kohno
- Division of Genome Biology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Iona Cheng
- Greater Bay Area Cancer Registry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - I-Shou Chang
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Chao Agnes Hsiung
- Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Nathaniel Rothman
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Qing Lan
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA
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May L, Shows K, Nana-Sinkam P, Li H, Landry JW. Sex Differences in Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3111. [PMID: 37370722 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex disparities in the incidence and mortality of lung cancer have been observed since cancer statistics have been recorded. Social and economic differences contribute to sex disparities in lung cancer incidence and mortality, but evidence suggests that there are also underlying biological differences that contribute to the disparity. This review summarizes biological differences which could contribute to the sex disparity. Sex hormones and other biologically active molecules, tumor cell genetic differences, and differences in the immune system and its response to lung cancer are highlighted. How some of these differences contribute to disparities in the response to therapies, including cytotoxic, targeted, and immuno-therapies, is also discussed. We end the study with a discussion of our perceived future directions to identify the key biological differences which could contribute to sex disparities in lung cancer and how these differences could be therapeutically leveraged to personalize lung cancer treatment to the individual sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren May
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Massey Cancer Center, VCU School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Kathryn Shows
- Department of Biology, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA 23806, USA
| | - Patrick Nana-Sinkam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, VCU School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Howard Li
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, VCU School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Joseph W Landry
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Massey Cancer Center, VCU School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
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Ragavan M, Patel MI. The evolving landscape of sex-based differences in lung cancer: a distinct disease in women. Eur Respir Rev 2022; 31:31/163/210100. [PMID: 35022255 PMCID: PMC9488944 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0100-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In stark contrast to a few decades ago when lung cancer was predominantly a disease of men who smoke, incidence rates of lung cancer in women are now comparable to or higher than those in men and are rising alarmingly in many parts of the world. Women face a unique set of risk factors for lung cancer compared to men. These include exogenous exposures including radon, prior radiation, and fumes from indoor cooking materials such as coal, in addition to endogenous exposures such as oestrogen and distinct genetic polymorphisms. Current screening guidelines only address tobacco use and likely underrepresent lung cancer risk in women. Women were also not well represented in some of the landmark prospective studies that led to the development of current screening guidelines. Women diagnosed with lung cancer have a clear mortality benefit compared to men even when other clinical and demographic characteristics are accounted for. However, there may be sex-based differences in outcomes and side effects of systemic therapy, particularly with chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Ongoing research is needed to better investigate these differences to address the rapidly changing demographics of lung cancer worldwide. Sex-based differences in lung cancer span the care continuum. This suggests lung cancer may increasingly be viewed as a distinct disease in women, with implications for screening and treatment. Lung cancer research should capture these sex-based differences.https://bit.ly/2WfhaB4
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Affiliation(s)
- Meera Ragavan
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Dept of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Manali I Patel
- Division of Oncology, Dept of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Division of Oncology, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, Palo Alto, CA, USA.,Dept of Medicine, Center for Health Policy/Primary Care Outcomes Research, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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Fidler-Benaoudia MM, Torre LA, Bray F, Ferlay J, Jemal A. Lung cancer incidence in young women vs. young men: A systematic analysis in 40 countries. Int J Cancer 2020; 147:811-819. [PMID: 32020598 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Previous studies have reported converging lung cancer rates between sexes. We examine lung cancer incidence rates in young women vs. young men in 40 countries across five continents. Lung and bronchial cancer cases by 5-year age group (ages 30-64) and 5-year calendar period (1993-2012) were extracted from Cancer Incidence in Five Continents. Female-to-male incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated by age group and birth cohort. Among men, age-specific lung cancer incidence rates generally decreased in all countries, while in women the rates varied across countries with the trends in most countries stable or declining, albeit at a slower pace compared to those in men. As a result, the female-to-male IRRs increased among recent birth cohorts, with IRRs significantly greater than unity in Canada, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand, the Netherlands and the United States. For example, the IRRs in ages 45-49 year in the Netherlands increased from 0.7 (95% CI: 0.6-0.8) to 1.5 (95% CI: 1.4-1.7) in those born circa 1948 and 1963, respectively. Similar patterns, though nonsignificant, were found in 23 additional countries. These crossovers were largely driven by increasing adenocarcinoma incidence rates in women. For those countries with historical smoking data, smoking prevalence in women approached, but rarely exceeded, those of men. In conclusion, the emerging higher lung cancer incidence rates in young women compared to young men is widespread and not fully explained by sex differences in smoking patterns. Future studies are needed to identify reasons for the elevated incidence of lung cancer among young women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda M Fidler-Benaoudia
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research, Cancer Control Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Oncology and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Lindsey A Torre
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Freddie Bray
- Section of Cancer Surveillance, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Jacques Ferlay
- Section of Cancer Surveillance, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Ahmedin Jemal
- Surveillance and Health Services Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia
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