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Little MP, Mai JZ, Fang M, Chernyavskiy P, Kennerley V, Cahoon EK, Cockburn MG, Kendall GM, Kimlin MG. Solar ultraviolet radiation exposure, and incidence of childhood acute lymphocytic leukaemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in a US population-based dataset. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:1441-1452. [PMID: 38424165 PMCID: PMC11059281 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02629-3] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) are among the commonest types of childhood cancer. Some previous studies suggested that elevated ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposures increase ALL risk; many more indicate NHL risk is reduced. METHODS We assessed age<20 ALL/NHL incidence in Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results data using AVGLO-derived UVR irradiance/cumulative radiant exposure measures, using quasi-likelihood models accounting for underdispersion, adjusted for age, sex, racial/ethnic group and other county-level socioeconomic variables. RESULTS There were 30,349 cases of ALL and 8062 of NHL, with significant increasing trends of ALL with UVR irradiance (relative risk (RR) = 1.200/mW/cm2 (95% CI 1.060, 1.359, p = 0.0040)), but significant decreasing trends for NHL (RR = 0.646/mW/cm2 (95% CI 0.512, 0.816, p = 0.0002)). There was a borderline-significant increasing trend of ALL with UVR cumulative radiant exposure (RR = 1.444/MJ/cm2 (95% CI 0.949, 2.197, p = 0.0865)), and significant decreasing trends for NHL (RR = 0.284/MJ/cm2 (95% CI 0.166, 0.485, p < 0.0001)). ALL and NHL trend RR is substantially increased among those aged 0-3. All-age trend RRs are most extreme (increasing for ALL, decreasing for NHL) for Hispanics for both UVR measures. CONCLUSIONS Our more novel finding, of excess UVR-related ALL risk, is consistent with some previous studies, but is not clear-cut, and in need of replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark P Little
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9778, USA.
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Headington Campus, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK.
| | - Jim Z Mai
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9778, USA
| | - Michelle Fang
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9778, USA
| | - Pavel Chernyavskiy
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22908-0717, USA
| | - Victoria Kennerley
- Biostatistics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9778, USA
| | - Elizabeth K Cahoon
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9778, USA
| | - Myles G Cockburn
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gerald M Kendall
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Michael G Kimlin
- Institute of Evidence Based Medicine, Bond University, Robina, Gold Coast, QLD, 4226, Australia
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2
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Isidro-Hernández M, Casado-García A, Oak N, Alemán-Arteaga S, Ruiz-Corzo B, Martínez-Cano J, Mayado A, Sánchez EG, Blanco O, Gaspar ML, Orfao A, Alonso-López D, De Las Rivas J, Riesco S, Prieto-Matos P, González-Murillo Á, Criado FJG, Cenador MBG, Ramírez-Orellana M, de Andrés B, Vicente-Dueñas C, Cobaleda C, Nichols KE, Sánchez-García I. Immune stress suppresses innate immune signaling in preleukemic precursor B-cells to provoke leukemia in predisposed mice. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5159. [PMID: 37620322 PMCID: PMC10449887 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40961-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: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The initial steps of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) development usually pass unnoticed in children. Several preclinical studies have shown that exposure to immune stressors triggers the transformation of preleukemic B cells to full-blown B-ALL, but how this takes place is still a longstanding and unsolved challenge. Here we show that dysregulation of innate immunity plays a driving role in the clonal evolution of pre-malignant Pax5+/- B-cell precursors toward leukemia. Transcriptional profiling reveals that Myd88 is downregulated in immune-stressed pre-malignant B-cell precursors and in leukemic cells. Genetic reduction of Myd88 expression leads to a significant increase in leukemia incidence in Pax5+/-Myd88+/- mice through an inflammation-dependent mechanism. Early induction of Myd88-independent Toll-like receptor 3 signaling results in a significant delay of leukemia development in Pax5+/- mice. Altogether, these findings identify a role for innate immunity dysregulation in leukemia, with important implications for understanding and therapeutic targeting of the preleukemic state in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Isidro-Hernández
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-USAL, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ana Casado-García
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-USAL, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ninad Oak
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Silvia Alemán-Arteaga
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-USAL, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Belén Ruiz-Corzo
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-USAL, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca, Spain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jorge Martínez-Cano
- Immune system development and function Unit, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas -Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrea Mayado
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Servicio de Citometría, Departamento de Medicina, Biomedical Research Networking Centre on Cancer CIBER-CIBERONC (CB16/12/00400), Institute of Health Carlos III, and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Elena G Sánchez
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Oscar Blanco
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Departamento de Anatomía Patológica, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ma Luisa Gaspar
- Immunobiology Department, Carlos III Health Institute, 28220, Majadahonda (Madrid), Spain
| | - Alberto Orfao
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Servicio de Citometría, Departamento de Medicina, Biomedical Research Networking Centre on Cancer CIBER-CIBERONC (CB16/12/00400), Institute of Health Carlos III, and Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Diego Alonso-López
- Bioinformatics Unit, Cancer Research Center (CSIC-USAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Javier De Las Rivas
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics Research Group, Cancer Research Center (CSIC-USAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Susana Riesco
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente, 58-182, Salamanca, 37007, Spain
| | - Pablo Prieto-Matos
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente, 58-182, Salamanca, 37007, Spain
| | - África González-Murillo
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier García Criado
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Departamento de Cirugía, , Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - María Begoña García Cenador
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Departamento de Cirugía, , Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Manuel Ramírez-Orellana
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Belén de Andrés
- Immunobiology Department, Carlos III Health Institute, 28220, Majadahonda (Madrid), Spain
| | - Carolina Vicente-Dueñas
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente, 58-182, Salamanca, 37007, Spain.
| | - César Cobaleda
- Immune system development and function Unit, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas -Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Kim E Nichols
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
| | - Isidro Sánchez-García
- Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-USAL, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca, Spain.
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.
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Wheeler DC, Boyle J, Carli M, Ward MH, Metayer C. Neighborhood Deprivation, Indoor Chemical Concentrations, and Spatial Risk for Childhood Leukemia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3582. [PMID: 36834278 PMCID: PMC9968201 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Leukemia is the most common childhood cancer in industrialized countries, and the increasing incidence trends in the US suggest that environmental exposures play a role in its etiology. Neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) has been found to be associated with many health outcomes, including childhood leukemia. In this paper, we used a Bayesian index model approach to estimate a neighborhood deprivation index (NDI) in the analysis of childhood leukemia in a population-based case-control study (diagnosed 1999 to 2006) in northern and central California, with direct indoor measurements of many chemicals for 277 cases and 306 controls <8 years of age. We considered spatial random effects in the Bayesian index model approach to identify any areas of significantly elevated risk not explained by neighborhood deprivation or individual covariates, and assessed if groups of indoor chemicals would explain any elevated spatial risk areas. Due to not all eligible cases and controls participating in the study, we conducted a simulation study to add non-participants to evaluate the impact of potential selection bias when estimating NDI effects and spatial risk. The results in the crude model showed an odds ratio (OR) of 1.06 and 95% credible interval (CI) of (0.98, 1.15) for a one unit increase in the NDI, but the association became slightly inverse when adjusting for individual level covariates in the observed data (OR = 0.97 and 95% CI: 0.87, 1.07), as well as when using simulated data (average OR = 0.98 and 95% CI: 0.91, 1.05). We found a significant spatial risk of childhood leukemia after adjusting for NDI and individual-level covariates in two counties, but the area of elevated risk was partly explained by selection bias in simulation studies that included more participating controls in areas of lower SES. The area of elevated risk was explained when including chemicals measured inside the home, and insecticides and herbicides had greater effects for the risk area than the overall study. In summary, the consideration of exposures and variables at different levels from multiple sources, as well as potential selection bias, are important for explaining the observed spatial areas of elevated risk and effect estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C. Wheeler
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, One Capitol Square, 830 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Joseph Boyle
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, One Capitol Square, 830 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Matt Carli
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, One Capitol Square, 830 East Main Street, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Mary H. Ward
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Catherine Metayer
- School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA
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4
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Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in the Setting of Therapy-Induced Acute Myeloid Leukemia: An Autopsy Report. Diseases 2022; 10:diseases10030054. [PMID: 35997359 PMCID: PMC9397008 DOI: 10.3390/diseases10030054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening hyper-inflammatory disorder that occurs due to immunologic dysregulation. HLH can be primary (hereditary) or secondary to infections, autoimmune diseases, immune deficiencies, metabolic diseases, drugs, or malignancies. Lymphoid neoplasms mostly accompany malignancy-associated HLH. We present a case of a 12-year-old boy with a history of precursor B lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), who subsequently developed chemotherapy-induced acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML). The patient was admitted for febrile neutropenia and initial laboratory tests revealed hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). The hospital course was complicated by multiple infections and septic shock. The patient received several broad-spectrum antimicrobials, dexamethasone, as well as a pericardial drain to drain the hemorrhagic pericardial effusion. Despite intervention, the patient expired, and an autopsy was performed. We provide a synopsis of the main autopsy findings.
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5
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Asenjo S, Nuñez O, Segú-Tell J, Pardo Romaguera E, Cañete Nieto A, Martín-Méndez I, Bel-Lan A, García-Pérez J, Cárceles-Álvarez A, Ortega-García JA, Ramis R. Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) topsoil levels and incidence of childhood leukemias. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2022; 44:2341-2354. [PMID: 34286388 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-021-01030-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
There are few well-established risk factors for childhood leukemias. While the frequency of childhood leukemias might be partially attributable to some diseases (accounting for a small fraction of cases) or ionizing radiation, the role of heavy metals has not been assessed. The objective of our study was to assess the potential association between levels of cadmium (Cd) and lead (PB) in soil and childhood leukemias incidence. We conducted a population-based case-control study of childhood leukaemia in Spain, covering 2897 incident cases gathered from the Spanish Registry of Childhood Tumours and including 14 Spanish Regions with a total population of 5,307,433 children (period 1996-2015). Cd and Pb bioavailable levels at every children's home address were estimated using data from the Geochemical Atlas of Spain. We used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs); we included as covariates: sex, rurality, employment rate and socioeconomic status. Metal levels were analysed according to two definitions: as continuous variable assuming linearity and as categorical variables to explore a potentially nonlinear association (quantiles). Increases in both Cd and Pb topsoil levels were associated with increased probability of childhood leukemias incidence. The results for the models with the continuous variables showed that a unit increase on the topsoil level was associated with an OR of 1.11 for Cd (95%CI 1.00-1.24) and an OR of 1.10 for Pb (95%CI 0.99-1.21). Our study may point towards a possible link between residential Cd and Pb topsoil levels and the probability of childhood leukemias incidence. Residing in a location with the highest concentrations of these heavy metals compared to those locations with the lowest could increase the risk around a 20%, for both Cd and Pb.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Olivier Nuñez
- Cancer and Environmental Epidemiology Unit, National Centre of Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Segú-Tell
- Cancer and Environmental Epidemiology Unit, National Centre of Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Pardo Romaguera
- Spanish Registry of Childhood Tumours (RETI-SEHOP), University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Adela Cañete Nieto
- Spanish Registry of Childhood Tumours (RETI-SEHOP), University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- H. Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | | | | | - Javier García-Pérez
- Cancer and Environmental Epidemiology Unit, National Centre of Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain
- Centre for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Cárceles-Álvarez
- Paediatric Environmental Health Speciality Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Institute of Biomedical Research, IMIB-Arrixaca, Clinical University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
- European and Latin American Environment, Survival and Childhood Cancer Network (ENSUCHICA), Murcia, Spain
| | - Juan Antonio Ortega-García
- Paediatric Environmental Health Speciality Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Institute of Biomedical Research, IMIB-Arrixaca, Clinical University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
- European and Latin American Environment, Survival and Childhood Cancer Network (ENSUCHICA), Murcia, Spain
| | - Rebeca Ramis
- Cancer and Environmental Epidemiology Unit, National Centre of Epidemiology, Carlos III Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain.
- Centre for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
- European and Latin American Environment, Survival and Childhood Cancer Network (ENSUCHICA), Murcia, Spain.
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Cardesa-Salzmann TM, Simon A, Graf N. Antibiotics in early life and childhood pre-B-ALL. Reasons to analyze a possible new piece in the puzzle. Discov Oncol 2022; 13:5. [PMID: 35201533 PMCID: PMC8777491 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-022-00465-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric cancer with precursor B-cell ALL (pB-ALL) accounting for ~ 85% of the cases. Childhood pB-ALL development is influenced by genetic susceptibility and host immune responses. The role of the intestinal microbiome in leukemogenesis is gaining increasing attention since Vicente-Dueñas' seminal work demonstrated that the gut microbiome is distinct in mice genetically predisposed to ALL and that the alteration of this microbiome by antibiotics is able to trigger pB-ALL in Pax5 heterozygous mice in the absence of infectious stimuli. In this review we provide an overview on novel insights on the role of the microbiome in normal and preleukemic hematopoiesis, inflammation, the effect of dysbiosis on hematopoietic stem cells and the emerging importance of the innate immune responses in the conversion from preleukemic to leukemic state in childhood ALL. Since antibiotics, which represent one of the most widely used medical interventions, alter the gut microbial composition and can cause a state of dysbiosis, this raises exciting epidemiological questions regarding the implications for antibiotic use in early life, especially in infants with a a preleukemic "first hit". Sheading light through a rigorous study on this piece of the puzzle may have broad implications for clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. M. Cardesa-Salzmann
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg, Saarland Germany
| | - A. Simon
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg, Saarland Germany
| | - N. Graf
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg, Saarland Germany
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7
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Cobaleda C, Vicente-Dueñas C, Sanchez-Garcia I. Infectious triggers and novel therapeutic opportunities in childhood B cell leukaemia. Nat Rev Immunol 2021; 21:570-581. [PMID: 33558682 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-021-00505-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
B cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL) is the most common form of childhood cancer. Although treatment has advanced remarkably in the past 50 years, it still fails in ~20% of patients. Recent studies revealed that more than 5% of healthy newborns carry preleukaemic clones that originate in utero, but only a small percentage of these carriers will progress to overt B-ALL. The drivers of progression are unclear, but B-ALL incidence seems to be increasing in parallel with the adoption of modern lifestyles. Emerging evidence shows that a major driver for the conversion from the preleukaemic state to the B-ALL state is exposure to immune stressors, such as infection. Here, we discuss our current understanding of the environmental triggers and genetic predispositions that may lead to B-ALL, highlighting lessons from epidemiology, the clinic and animal models, and identifying priority areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesar Cobaleda
- Immune System Development and Function Unit, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| | | | - Isidro Sanchez-Garcia
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain. .,Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC and Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
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8
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An intact gut microbiome protects genetically predisposed mice against leukemia. Blood 2021; 136:2003-2017. [PMID: 32911536 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2019004381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of childhood leukemias are precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (pB-ALLs) caused by a combination of prenatal genetic predispositions and oncogenic events occurring after birth. Although genetic predispositions are frequent in children (>1% to 5%), fewer than 1% of genetically predisposed carriers will develop pB-ALL. Although infectious stimuli are believed to play a major role in leukemogenesis, the critical determinants are not well defined. Here, by using murine models of pB-ALL, we show that microbiome disturbances incurred by antibiotic treatment early in life were sufficient to induce leukemia in genetically predisposed mice, even in the absence of infectious stimuli and independent of T cells. By using V4 and full-length 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing of a series of fecal samples, we found that genetic predisposition to pB-ALL (Pax5 heterozygosity or ETV6-RUNX1 fusion) shaped a distinct gut microbiome. Machine learning accurately (96.8%) predicted genetic predisposition using 40 of 3983 amplicon sequence variants as proxies for bacterial species. Transplantation of either wild-type (WT) or Pax5+/- hematopoietic bone marrow cells into WT recipient mice revealed that the microbiome is shaped and determined in a donor genotype-specific manner. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses of sera from WT and Pax5+/- mice demonstrated the presence of a genotype-specific distinct metabolomic profile. Taken together, our data indicate that it is a lack of commensal microbiota rather than the presence of specific bacteria that promotes leukemia in genetically predisposed mice. Future large-scale longitudinal studies are required to determine whether targeted microbiome modification in children predisposed to pB-ALL could become a successful prevention strategy.
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9
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Kendall GM, Little MP, Wakeford R. A review of studies of childhood cancer and natural background radiation. Int J Radiat Biol 2021; 97:769-781. [PMID: 33395329 PMCID: PMC10686050 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2020.1867926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The projected existence and magnitude of carcinogenic effects of ionizing radiation at low doses and low-dose rates is perhaps the most important issue in radiation protection today. Studies of childhood cancer and natural background radiation have the potential to throw direct light on this question, into a dose range below a few tens of mSv. This paper describes the studies that have been undertaken and their context, discusses some problems that arise and summarizes the present position. CONCLUSIONS Many such studies have been undertaken, but most were too small to have a realistic chance of detecting the small effects expected from such low doses, based on risk projections from higher exposures. Case-control or cohort studies are to be preferred methodologically to ecological studies but can be prone to problems of registration/participation bias. Interview-based studies of the requisite size would be prohibitively expensive and would undoubtedly also run into problems of participation bias. Register-based studies can be very large and are free of participation bias. However, they need to estimate the radiation exposure of study subjects using models rather than individual measurements in the homes of those concerned. At present, no firm conclusions can be drawn from the studies that have been published to date. Further data and perhaps pooled studies offer a way forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald M Kendall
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford, UK
| | - Mark P Little
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Richard Wakeford
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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10
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Erdmann F, Hvidtfeldt UA, Feychting M, Sørensen M, Raaschou-Nielsen O. Is the risk of childhood leukaemia associated with socioeconomic measures in Denmark? A nationwide register-based case-control study. Int J Cancer 2020; 148:2227-2240. [PMID: 33210292 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The aetiology of childhood leukaemia is poorly understood. Knowledge about differences in risk by socioeconomic status (SES) may enhance etiologic insights. We conducted a nationwide register-based case-control study to evaluate socioeconomic differences in the risk of childhood leukaemia in Denmark and to access whether associations varied by different measures of SES, time point of assessment, leukaemia type and age at diagnosis. We identified all cases of leukaemia in children aged 0 to 19 years, born and diagnosed between 1980 and 2013 from the Danish Cancer Registry (N = 1336) and sampled four individually matched controls per case (N = 5330). We used conditional logistic regression models for analysis. Medium and high level of parental education was associated with a higher risk of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in the offspring, mainly driven by children diagnosed at ages 0 to 4 years [odds ratio (OR) for high maternal education = 3.07; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.44-6.55]. We also observed a modestly increased risk for lymphoid leukaemia (LL) in association with higher level of parental education, but only in children diagnosed at ages 5 to 19 years. Higher parental income was associated with an increased risk of LL but not AML among children aged 5 to 19 years at diagnosis (OR for high maternal income = 2.78; 95% CI: 1.32-5.89). Results for neighbourhood SES measures indicated null associations. Bias or under-ascertainment of cases among families with low income or basic education are unlikely to explain the observed socioeconomic differences. Future research addressing explicitly the underlying mechanisms of our results may help to enhance etiologic insights of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Erdmann
- Division of Childhood Cancer Epidemiology, Institute for Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Maria Feychting
- Unit of Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mette Sørensen
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Natural Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Ole Raaschou-Nielsen
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
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11
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Erdmann F, Hvidtfeldt UA, Sørensen M, Raaschou-Nielsen O. Socioeconomic differences in the risk of childhood central nervous system tumors in Denmark: a nationwide register-based case-control study. Cancer Causes Control 2020; 31:915-929. [PMID: 32767157 PMCID: PMC7458950 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-020-01332-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Differences in the risk of childhood central nervous system (CNS) tumors by socioeconomic status (SES) may enhance etiologic insights. We conducted a nationwide register-based case-control study to evaluate socioeconomic differences in the risk of childhood CNS tumors in Denmark and examined whether associations varied by different SES measures, time points of assessment, specific tumor types, and age at diagnosis. METHODS We identified all children born between 1981 and 2013 and diagnosed with a CNS tumor at ages 0-19 years (n = 1,273) from the Danish Cancer Registry and sampled four individually matched controls per case (n = 5,086). We used conditional logistic regression models to estimate associations with individual-level and neighborhood-level socioeconomic measures. RESULTS We observed elevated risks of ependymoma and embryonal CNS tumors in association with higher parental education (odds ratios (ORs) of 1.6-2.1 for maternal or paternal high education and ependymoma) and higher risk of all tumor types in association with higher maternal income, e.g., OR 1.93; 95% CI 1.05-3.52 for high versus low income for astrocytoma and other gliomas. Associations were often stronger in children diagnosed at ages 5-19 years. We found little evidence for an association with neighborhood SES. CONCLUSION This large nationwide register study with minimal risk of bias showed that having parents with higher educational level and a mother with higher income was associated with a higher risk of childhood CNS tumors. Bias or under-ascertainment of cases among families with low income or basic education is unlikely to explain our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Erdmann
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Danish Cancer Society, Strandboulevarden 49, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- German Childhood Cancer Registry, Institute for Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Str. 69, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Ulla Arthur Hvidtfeldt
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Danish Cancer Society, Strandboulevarden 49, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mette Sørensen
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Danish Cancer Society, Strandboulevarden 49, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Natural Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Universitetsvej 1, P.O. Box 260, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Ole Raaschou-Nielsen
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Danish Cancer Society, Strandboulevarden 49, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, P.O. Box 358, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
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12
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Meulepas JM, Ronckers CM, Smets AMJB, Nievelstein RAJ, Gradowska P, Lee C, Jahnen A, van Straten M, de Wit MCY, Zonnenberg B, Klein WM, Merks JH, Visser O, van Leeuwen FE, Hauptmann M. Radiation Exposure From Pediatric CT Scans and Subsequent Cancer Risk in the Netherlands. J Natl Cancer Inst 2020; 111:256-263. [PMID: 30020493 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djy104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Computed tomography (CT), a strong diagnostic tool, delivers higher radiation doses than most imaging modalities. As CT use has increased rapidly, radiation protection is important, particularly among children. We evaluate leukemia and brain tumor risk following exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation from CT scans in childhood. METHODS For a nationwide retrospective cohort of 168 394 children who received one or more CT scans in a Dutch hospital between 1979 and 2012 who were younger than age 18 years, we obtained cancer incidence, vital status, and confounder information by record linkage with external registries. Standardized incidence ratios were calculated using cancer incidence rates from the general Dutch population. Excess relative risks (ERRs) per 100 mGy organ dose were calculated with Poisson regression. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS Standardized incidence ratios were elevated for all cancer sites. Mean cumulative bone marrow doses were 9.5 mGy at the end of follow-up, and leukemia risk (excluding myelodysplastic syndrome) was not associated with cumulative bone marrow dose (44 cases). Cumulative brain dose was on average 38.5 mGy and was statistically significantly associated with risk for malignant and nonmalignant brain tumors combined (ERR/100 mGy: 0.86, 95% confidence interval = 0.20 to 2.22, P = .002, 84 cases). Excluding tuberous sclerosis complex patients did not substantially change the risk. CONCLUSIONS We found evidence that CT-related radiation exposure increases brain tumor risk. No association was observed for leukemia. Compared with the general population, incidence of brain tumors was higher in the cohort of children with CT scans, requiring cautious interpretation of the findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna M Meulepas
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Cécile M Ronckers
- Department of Paediatric Oncology, Emma Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Anne M J B Smets
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Patrycja Gradowska
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Choonsik Lee
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Rockville, MD
| | - Andreas Jahnen
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg, the Netherlands
| | - Marcel van Straten
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marie-Claire Y de Wit
- Department of Neurology and Paediatric Neurology, Erasmus MC, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bernard Zonnenberg
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Willemijn M Klein
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Johannes H Merks
- Department of Paediatric Oncology, Emma Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Dutch Childhood Oncology Group, the Hague, the Netherlands, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Otto Visser
- Department of Registration, Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Flora E van Leeuwen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Michael Hauptmann
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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13
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Mazzei-Abba A, Folly CL, Coste A, Wakeford R, Little MP, Raaschou-Nielsen O, Kendall G, Hémon D, Nikkilä A, Spix C, Auvinen A, Spycher BD. Epidemiological studies of natural sources of radiation and childhood cancer: current challenges and future perspectives. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2020; 40:R1-R23. [PMID: 31751953 PMCID: PMC10654695 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/ab5a38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The empirical estimation of cancer risks in children associated with low-dose ionising radiation (<100 mSv) remains a challenge. The main reason is that the required combination of large sample sizes with accurate and comprehensive exposure assessment is difficult to achieve. An international scientific workshop, 'Childhood cancer and background radiation', organised by the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine of the University of Bern, brought together researchers in this field to evaluate how epidemiological studies of background radiation and childhood cancer can best improve our understanding of the effects of low-dose ionising radiation. This review summarises and evaluates the findings of these studies with regard to their methodological differences, identifies key limitations and challenges, and proposes ways to move forward. Large childhood cancer registries, such as those in Great Britain, France and Germany, now permit the conducting of studies that should have sufficient statistical power to detect the effects predicted by standard risk models. Nevertheless, larger studies or pooled studies will be needed to investigate disease subgroups. The main challenge is to accurately assess children's individual exposure to radiation from natural sources and from other sources, as well as potentially confounding non-radiation exposures, in such large study populations. For this, the study groups should learn from each other to improve exposure estimation and develop new ways to validate exposure models with personal dosimetry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Mazzei-Abba
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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14
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Bunch KJ, Kendall GM, Stiller CA, Vincent TJ, Murphy MFG. Case-control study of paternal occupational exposures and childhood lymphoma in Great Britain, 1962-2010. Br J Cancer 2019; 120:1153-1161. [PMID: 31105271 PMCID: PMC6738046 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-019-0469-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This nationwide study investigates associations between paternal occupational exposure and childhood lymphoma. METHODS The UK National Registry of Childhood Tumours provided cases of childhood lymphoma born and diagnosed in Great Britain 1962-2010. Control births, unaffected by childhood cancer, were matched on sex, birth period and birth registration sub-district. Fathers' occupations were assigned to one or more of 33 exposure groups and also coded for occupational social class. RESULTS We analysed 5033 childhood lymphoma cases and 4990 controls. Total lymphoma and the subgroups Hodgkin, Burkitt and non-Hodgkin lymphoma were considered separately. No one exposure was significantly associated with increased risk within all subgroups and for total lymphoma. However, exposure to "ceramics and glass" was significantly associated with increased risk of total lymphoma, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Paternal lead exposure was associated with Burkitt lymphoma and exposure to metal fumes was associated with Hodgkin lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS This study provides no support for previous suggestions of an association between childhood lymphoma and paternal occupational exposure to pesticides, solvents/hydrocarbons or infections potentially transmitted by father's social contacts. An association with exposure to "ceramics and glass" was noted for the two major lymphoma subtypes together comprising 80% of total lymphoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn J Bunch
- National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK.
| | - Gerald M Kendall
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Charles A Stiller
- National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service, Public Health England, Chancellor Court, Oxford Business Park South, Oxford, OX4 2GX, UK
| | - Timothy J Vincent
- Formerly of Childhood Cancer Research Group, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Michael F G Murphy
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
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15
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Ologbenla A, Hu M, Hajizadeh M. Socioeconomic status and incidence of pediatric leukemia in Canada: 1992-2010. Cancer Epidemiol 2019; 61:14-22. [PMID: 31103934 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2019.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leukemia is the most common cancer among Canadian children, representing about a third of pediatric cancers in Canada and is responsible for about one-third of pediatric cancer deaths. Understanding the effect of socioeconomic status (SES) on pediatric leukemia incidence provides valuable information for cancer control and interventions in Canada. METHODS Using a linked data from the Canadian Cancer Registry (CCR), Canadian Census of Population (CCP) and National Household Survey (NHS) we aimed to quantify socioeconomic inequalities in the incidence of pediatric leukemia from 1992 to 2010. We used the concentration index (C) approach to quantify income- and education-related inequalities in the incidence of pediatric leukemia over time. RESULTS Though there were fluctuations in incidence over the study period, our results showed that the total incidence of pediatric leukemia in Canada was generally consistent from 1992 to 2010. Incidence rate of 47 per 1,000,000 as at 1992 rose to 57 per 1,000,000 in 2010. The estimated values of the C over the study period failed to show any significant association between pediatric leukemia incidence and household income or education status. CONCLUSIONS Although pediatric leukemia incidence is not rising significantly, it is not reducing significantly either. The incidence of pediatric leukemia showed no significant association with socioeconomic status. Future cancer control interventions should focus more on mitigating risk factors that are independent of socioeconomic status.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Min Hu
- School of Health Administration, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
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16
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Erdmann F, Feychting M, Mogensen H, Schmiegelow K, Zeeb H. Social Inequalities Along the Childhood Cancer Continuum: An Overview of Evidence and a Conceptual Framework to Identify Underlying Mechanisms and Pathways. Front Public Health 2019; 7:84. [PMID: 31106186 PMCID: PMC6492628 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2019.00084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Inequalities in health according to social conditions are regarded as unnecessary and unjust. There is a large body of evidence on inequalities in adult cancer, observable throughout the societies on a national level as well as on a global scale. Socioeconomic influences on health matter at all ages including childhood, for which childhood cancer is the leading cause of disease related death in high-income countries (HICs). Substantial differences in the reported incidence of childhood cancers have been observed globally by socioeconomic development of a population. This is reflected in the higher incidence rates reported for HICs, particularly for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and for cancer in infants (below 1 year), compared to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Considerable inequalities between populations and degree of socioeconomic development are also noted for survival from childhood cancer, with substantially lower survival rates seen in most LMICs compared to HICs. With respect to inequalities by socioeconomic position (SEP) within countries, findings of an association between SEP and childhood cancer risk are diverse and limited to studies from HICs. On the contrary, observations on social inequalities in survival within countries are accumulating and indicate that survival inequalities do not only concern resource-poor countries but also high-income populations including European countries. In turn, a childhood cancer diagnosis in itself may have implications on the parents' socioeconomic situation as well as on the later socioeconomic life after having survived the disease. The underlying mechanisms and causal pathways of these empirically demonstrated social inequalities are poorly understood, although it is of significant public health relevance for any actions or strategies to reduce childhood cancer-related inequity. We propose a conceptual framework on potential underlying mechanism and pathways specifically addressing social inequalities in childhood cancer and after childhood cancer to (i) illustrate potential pathways by which social determinants may create health inequities at different points of the childhood cancer continuum; (ii) illustrate potential pathways by which a childhood cancer diagnosis may impact the socioeconomic situation of the concerned family or the later life of a childhood survivor; and (iii) point out how major determinants may relate to each other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Erdmann
- Section of Environment and Radiation, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Lyon, France
- Department of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz - Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS GmbH, Bremen, Germany
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maria Feychting
- Unit of Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hanna Mogensen
- Unit of Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kjeld Schmiegelow
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hajo Zeeb
- Department of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz - Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS GmbH, Bremen, Germany
- Health Sciences Bremen, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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17
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Boulton F. Ionising radiation and childhood leukaemia revisited. Med Confl Surviv 2019; 35:144-170. [PMID: 30821174 DOI: 10.1080/13623699.2019.1571684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Increased incidences of childhood acute leukaemia were noted among survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In Western societies, Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia has a distinct epidemiology peaking at 3 years old. Exposure to ionising radiation is an established hazard but it is difficult to gauge the precise risk of less than 100 mSv. Since 1983 significant leukaemia incidences have been reported among families residing near nuclear installations. The target cells (naïve neonatal lymphocytes) get exposed to multiple xenobiotic challenges and undergo extraordinary proliferation and physiological somatic genetic change. Population movements and ionising radiation are considered taking account of updated understanding of radiation biology, cancer cytogenetics and immunological diversity. Double Strand Breaks in DNA arise through metabolic generation of Reactive Oxygen Species, and nearly always are repaired; but mis-repairs can be oncogenic. Recombinant Activating Gene enzymes in rapidly dividing perinatal pre-B lymphocytes being primed for antibody diversity are targeted to Signal Sequences in the Immunoglobulin genes. off target pseudo-sequences may allow RAG enzymes to create autosomal DSBs which, when mis-repaired, become translocated oncogenes. Immunogens acting by chance at crucial stages may facilitate this. In such circumstances, oncogenic DSBs from ionising radiation are less likely to be significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Boulton
- Medact , London , UK.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton , Southampton , UK
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18
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Li X, Sundquist J, Hamano T, Sundquist K. Family and neighborhood socioeconomic inequality in cryptorchidism and hypospadias: A nationwide study from Sweden. Birth Defects Res 2019; 111:78-87. [PMID: 30561158 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine whether there is an association between neighborhood deprivation and incidence of cryptorchidism and hypospadias, after accounting for family-level and individual-level sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS All boys born in Sweden between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2010 were followed. Data were analyzed by multilevel logistic regression, with family-level and individual-level characteristics at the first level and level of neighborhood deprivation at the second level. RESULTS During the study period, among a total of 497,584 boys, 8,584 (1.7%) and 3,704 (0.7%) were diagnosed with cryptorchidism and hypospadias, respectively. Cumulative rates for cryptorchidism and hypospadias increased with increasing levels of neighborhood deprivation. In the study population, 1.5 per 100 and 2.0 per 100 boys, in the least and most deprived neighborhoods were diagnosed with cryptorchidism and 0.7 per 100 and 0.9 per 100 boys were diagnosed with hypospadias. Incidence of hospitalization for cryptorchidism and hypospadias increased with increasing neighborhood-level deprivation across all family-level and individual-level sociodemographic categories. The odds ratio (OR) for cryptorchidism and hypospadias for those living in high-deprivation neighborhoods versus those living in low-deprivation neighborhoods was 1.13 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05-1.21) and 1.24 (95% CI = 1.12-1.37). High neighborhood deprivation remained significantly associated with higher odds of hypospadias after adjustment for family-level and individual-level sociodemographic characteristics (OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.08-1.35). CONCLUSIONS This study is the largest so far on neighborhood influences on cryptorchidism and hypospadias. Our results suggest that neighborhood deprivation is associated with a moderate incidence of hypospadias independent of family-level and individual-level sociodemographic characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjun Li
- Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Jan Sundquist
- Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.,Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.,Department of Functional Pathology, Center for Community-Based Healthcare Research and Education (CoHRE), School of Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Hamano
- Department of Functional Pathology, Center for Community-Based Healthcare Research and Education (CoHRE), School of Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo, Japan.,Department of Sports Sociology and Health Sciences, Kyoto Sangyo University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kristina Sundquist
- Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.,Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.,Department of Functional Pathology, Center for Community-Based Healthcare Research and Education (CoHRE), School of Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo, Japan
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19
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Draper GJ, Bithell JF, Bunch KJ, Kendall GM, Murphy MFG, Stiller CA. Childhood cancer research in Oxford II: The Childhood Cancer Research Group. Br J Cancer 2018; 119:763-770. [PMID: 30131553 PMCID: PMC6173767 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-018-0181-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 05/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We summarise the work of the Childhood Cancer Research Group, particularly in relation to the UK National Registry of Childhood Tumours (NRCT). METHODS The Group was responsible for setting up and maintaining the NRCT. This registry was based on notifications from regional cancer registries, specialist children's tumour registries, paediatric oncologists and clinical trials organisers. For a large sample of cases, data on controls matched by date and place of birth were also collected. RESULTS Significant achievements of the Group include: studies of aetiology and of genetic epidemiology; proposals for, and participation in, international comparative studies of these diseases and on a classification system specifically for childhood cancer; the initial development of, and major contributions to, follow-up studies of the health of long-term survivors; the enhancement of cancer registration records by the addition of clinical data and of birth records. The Group made substantial contributions to the UK government's Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment. CONCLUSION An important part of the ethos of the Group was to work in collaboration with many other organisations and individuals, both nationally and internationally: many of the Group's achievements described here were the result of such collaborations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald J Draper
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, 24-29 St Giles, Oxford, OX1 3LB, UK.
| | - John F Bithell
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, 24-29 St Giles, Oxford, OX1 3LB, UK
| | - Kathryn J Bunch
- National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Gerald M Kendall
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Michael F G Murphy
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Charles A Stiller
- National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service, Public Health England, Chancellor Court, Oxford Business Park South, Oxford, OX4 2GX, UK
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Abstract
In this Review, I present evidence supporting a multifactorial causation of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), a major subtype of paediatric cancer. ALL evolves in two discrete steps. First, in utero initiation by fusion gene formation or hyperdiploidy generates a covert, pre-leukaemic clone. Second, in a small fraction of these cases, the postnatal acquisition of secondary genetic changes (primarily V(D)J recombination-activating protein (RAG) and activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID)-driven copy number alterations in the case of ETS translocation variant 6 (ETV6)-runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1)+ ALL) drives conversion to overt leukaemia. Epidemiological and modelling studies endorse a dual role for common infections. Microbial exposures earlier in life are protective but, in their absence, later infections trigger the critical secondary mutations. Risk is further modified by inherited genetics, chance and, probably, diet. Childhood ALL can be viewed as a paradoxical consequence of progress in modern societies, where behavioural changes have restrained early microbial exposure. This engenders an evolutionary mismatch between historical adaptations of the immune system and contemporary lifestyles. Childhood ALL may be a preventable cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mel Greaves
- Centre for Evolution and Cancer, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
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21
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Bosch de Basea M, Espinosa A, Gil M, Figuerola J, Pardina M, Vilar J, Cardis E. CT scan exposure in Spanish children and young adults by socioeconomic status: Cross-sectional analysis of cohort data. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0196449. [PMID: 29723272 PMCID: PMC5933709 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent publications reported that children in disadvantaged areas undergo more CT scanning than others. The present study is aimed to assess the potential differences in CT imaging by socioeconomic status (SES) in Spanish young scanned subjects and if such differences vary with different indicators or different time point SES measurements. The associations between CT scanning and SES, and between the CT scan rate per patient and SES were investigated in the Spanish EPI-CT subcohort. Various SES indicators were studied to determine whether particular SES dimensions were more closely related to the probability of undergoing one or multiple CTs. Comparisons were made with indices based on 2001 and 2011 censuses. We found evidence of socio-economic variation among young people, mainly related to autonomous communities of residence. A slightly higher rate of scans per patient of multiple body parts in the less affluent categories was observed, possibly reflecting a higher rate of accidents and violence in these groups. The number of CT scans per patient was higher both in the most affluent and the most deprived categories and somewhat lower in the intermediate groups. This relation varied with the SES indicator used, with lower CT scans per patients in categories of high unemployment and temporary work, but not depending on categories of unskilled work or illiteracy. The relationship between these indicators and number of CTs in 2011 was different than that seen with the 2001 census, with the number of CTs increasing with higher unemployment. Overall we observed some differences in the SES distribution of scanned patients by Autonomous Community in Spain. There was, however, no major differences in the frequency of CT scans per patient by SES overall, based on the 2001 census. The use of different indicators and of SES data collected at different time points led to different relations between SES and frequency of CT scans, outlining the difficulty of adequately capturing the social and economic dimensions which may affect health and health service utilisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magda Bosch de Basea
- Radiation epidemiology, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Ana Espinosa
- Radiation epidemiology, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariona Gil
- Radiation epidemiology, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Figuerola
- Radiation epidemiology, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - José Vilar
- Hospital Universitario Doctor Peset, Valencia, Spain
| | - Elisabeth Cardis
- Radiation epidemiology, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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Xie S, Hossain MJ. Survival differences in childhood and young adult acute myeloid leukemia: A cross-national study using US and England data. Cancer Epidemiol 2018; 54:19-24. [PMID: 29554538 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2018.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a serious disease with complex etiology and marked variation in survival. Known prognostic factors include AML subtypes, age at diagnosis and sex. However, survival outcomes may vary across healthcare systems. In this study, we evaluated the survival patterns in individuals diagnosed with AML at ages 0-24 years in the US and England between prognostic features and across countries. METHODS We obtained data on 4387 and 2194 subjects from the US Surveillance Epidemiology and End Result registries and UK National Cancer Data Repository. Subjects were diagnosed and followed in 1995-2014. Kaplan-Meier curve and stratified Cox proportional hazards regression were used in the analysis. RESULTS Overall risk of mortality was 23% lower in English patients compared to that in the US patients (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 95% confidence Interval (CI): 0.77, 0.71-0.84). Survival difference of similar extent was observed in subgroups of sex and age at diagnosis. However, mortality risks between two countries varied substantially across AML subtypes, especially in AML inv(16) (1.81, 0.61-5.34), AML with minimal differentiation (0.54, 0.25-1.17), AML without maturation (0.38, 0.20-0.74) and AML with maturation (0.52, 0.31-0.86). CONCLUSIONS Similar to the population trend, mortality risk across sex, age at diagnosis, and most AML subtypes was lower in England. Survival outcome for AML with and without maturation in England was better than the population trend, while that for AML inv(16) was worse. Our findings suggest that future etiologic and policy research may uncover the underlying mechanisms and contribute to closing these morality gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherlly Xie
- Biostatistics Core, Nemours Biomedical Research, A I duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE 19803, United States
| | - Md Jobayer Hossain
- Biostatistics Core, Nemours Biomedical Research, A I duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE 19803, United States; Department of Applied Economics and Statistics, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, United States.
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23
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Kheifets L, Swanson J, Yuan Y, Kusters C, Vergara X. Comparative analyses of studies of childhood leukemia and magnetic fields, radon and gamma radiation. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2017; 37:459-491. [PMID: 28586320 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/aa5fc7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In this paper we compare the findings of epidemiologic studies of childhood leukemia that examined at least two of ELF magnetic fields and/or distance to power lines, and exposure to radon and gamma radiation or distance to nuclear plants. Many of the methodologic aspects are common to studies of non-ionising (i.e. ELF-MF) and ionising radiation. A systematic search and review of studies with more than one exposure under study identified 33 key and 35 supplementary papers from ten countries that have been included in this review. Examining studies that have looked at several radiation exposures, and comparing similarities and differences for the different types of radiation, through the use of directed acyclic graphs, we evaluate to what extent bias, confounding and other methodological issues might be operating in these studies. We found some indication of bias, although results are not clear cut. There is little evidence that confounding has had a substantial influence on results. Influence of the residential mobility on the study conduct and interpretation is complex and can manifest as a selection bias, confounding, increased measurement error or could also be a potential risk factor. Other factors associated with distance to power lines and to nuclear power plants should be investigated. A more complete and consistent reporting of results in the future studies will allow for a more informative comparison across studies and integration of results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leeka Kheifets
- University of California Los Angeles, United States of America
| | - John Swanson
- National Grid, 1-3 Strand, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yingzhe Yuan
- University of California Los Angeles, United States of America
| | - Cynthia Kusters
- University of California Los Angeles, United States of America
| | - Ximena Vergara
- University of California Los Angeles, United States of America
- Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA, United States of America
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24
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Wang L, Gomez SL, Yasui Y. Racial and Ethnic Differences in Socioeconomic Position and Risk of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Am J Epidemiol 2017; 185:1263-1271. [PMID: 28369160 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kww164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Racial and ethnic differences in associations between socioeconomic position (SEP) and risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were investigated using data from population-based cancer registries in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program in the United States. The study included 8,383 ALL cases diagnosed at age ≤19 years in 2000-2010. Census tract-level composite SEP index in quintiles was assigned based on residence at the time of diagnosis. Incidence rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals associated with SEP and race/ethnicity, adjusted for sex, age, and year of diagnosis, were estimated using Poisson regression models. The incidence rate of childhood ALL was negatively associated with SEP among Hispanics but was positively associated among children of other races/ethnicities. As compared with the lowest SEP, the adjusted incidence rate ratios for children with the highest SEP were 1.29 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15, 1.44) for non-Hispanic whites, 1.67 (95% CI: 1.20, 2.34) for non-Hispanic blacks, 1.57 (95% CI: 1.17, 2.09) for Asians/Pacific Islanders, 2.33 (95% CI: 0.93, 5.83) for American Indians/Alaska Natives, and 0.70 (95% CI: 0.60, 0.81) for Hispanics. The findings of a reverse association in Hispanics need to be confirmed and further explained in future studies using different measures of SEP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linwei Wang
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Linwei Wang, Yutaka Yasui)
| | - Scarlett Lin Gomez
- Cancer Prevention Institute of California, Fremont, California (Scarlett Lin Gomez)
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Health Research and Policy, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California (Scarlett Lin Gomez)
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, California (Scarlett Lin Gomez)
| | - Yutaka Yasui
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Linwei Wang, Yutaka Yasui)
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25
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Spix C, Grosche B, Bleher M, Kaatsch P, Scholz-Kreisel P, Blettner M. Background gamma radiation and childhood cancer in Germany: an ecological study. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2017; 56:127-138. [PMID: 28337585 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-017-0689-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/11/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The relationship of low-dose background gamma radiation and childhood leukaemia was investigated in a number of studies. Results from these studies are inconclusive. Therefore, in the present study 25 years of German childhood cancer data were analyzed using interpolated background annual gamma dose rate per community in an ecological study. The main question was leukaemia; as exploratory questions we investigate central nervous system (CNS) tumours, thyroid carcinomas and diagnoses less likely to be related to radiation. A Poisson regression model was applied and a fractional polynomial model building procedure. As the main sensitivity analysis a community deprivation index was included as a potential confounder. It was found that outdoor background gamma annual dose rates in Germany range roughly from 0.5-1.5 mSv/a with an average of 0.817 mSv/a. No association of annual ambient gamma dose rates with leukaemia incidence was found. Amongst the exploratory analyses, a strong association was found with CNS tumour incidence [rate ratio for 1.5 vs 0.5 mSv/a: 1.35; 95% confidence interval (1.17, 1.57)]. The community level deprivation index was not a confounder. It is concluded that the present study did not confirm an association of annual outdoor ambient gamma dose rate and childhood leukaemia, corresponding to some studies and contrasting others. An association with CNS incidence was found in the exploratory analyses. As this is an ecological study no causal interpretation is possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Spix
- German Childhood Cancer Registry at the Institute for Medical Biometry, Epidemiology and Informatics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55101, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Bernd Grosche
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Martin Bleher
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, 85764, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Peter Kaatsch
- German Childhood Cancer Registry at the Institute for Medical Biometry, Epidemiology and Informatics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55101, Mainz, Germany
| | - Peter Scholz-Kreisel
- Institute for Medical Biometry, Epidemiology and Informatics, University Medical center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55101, Mainz, Germany
| | - Maria Blettner
- Institute for Medical Biometry, Epidemiology and Informatics, University Medical center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55101, Mainz, Germany
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Ye X, Torabi M, Lix LM, Mahmud SM. Time and spatial trends in lymphoid leukemia and lymphoma incidence and survival among children and adolescents in Manitoba, Canada: 1984-2013. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0175701. [PMID: 28430788 PMCID: PMC5400229 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To test for time and spatial trends in lymphoid malignancies, including lymphoid leukemia (LL), Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), in children and adolescents in the province of Manitoba, Canada. METHODS Incident cases diagnosed between 1984 and 2013 were identified from the Manitoba Cancer Registry. We assessed time trends in age-standardized incidence rates using joinpoint regression and in 5-year relative survival using Poisson regression model. Kulldorff's scan method was used to assess spatial variation and clustering. RESULTS Age-standardized incidence rates (per million person-years) in males and females were 34.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] 28.9-39.1) and 26.2 (95% CI 21.5-30.7) for LL, 10.5 (95% CI 7.7-13.3) and 12.5 (95% CI 9.4-15.7) for HL, 12.5 (95% CI 9.3-15.4) and 7.7 (95% CI 5.2-10.2) for NHL (except for Burkitt lymphomas), and 3.2 (95% CI 1.6-4.7) and 1.5 (95% CI 0.4-2.5) for Burkitt lymphomas. Age- and sex- standardized LL incidence rate increased 1.4% (95% CI 0.3%-2.5%) per year, while the changes for HL and NHL incidence rates were not statistically significant. There were geographic differences in age-standardized incidence rates for LL, HL, and NHL and spatial clusters were detected in southern part of the province. Five-year relative survival has improved over time and there was no difference between rural and urban areas. CONCLUSIONS Lymphoid leukemia incidence rate increased over time and varied by geographic area. Further research should examine the factors contributing to these trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xibiao Ye
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Mahmoud Torabi
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Lisa M. Lix
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Salaheddin M. Mahmud
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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27
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Low L, Hodson J, Morris D, Desai P, MacEwen C. Socioeconomic deprivation and serious ocular trauma in Scotland: a national prospective study. Br J Ophthalmol 2017; 101:1395-1398. [PMID: 28274942 PMCID: PMC5629949 DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2016-309875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Revised: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Objective To identify the population at risk of serious ocular trauma by exploring relationships with socioeconomic factors. Design National, prospective, population-based, cross-sectional and follow-up study. Participants Patients with serious ocular trauma requiring hospital admission in Scotland. Methods Case definition and ascertainment—cases of serious ocular trauma necessitating admission to hospital under the care of a consultant ophthalmologist were identified using the British Ophthalmological Surveillance Unit reporting scheme. Using the postcode of residence, we assigned a Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) score, SIMD quintile ( 0%–20% most deprived; 20%–40%, 40%–60%, 60%–80%, 80%–100% least deprived areas), geographical access score as well as the estimated travel time to the nearest general practitioner (GP) practice using either car or public transport for each patient. Population estimates were obtained from the General Register Office for Scotland. Main outcome measure Serious ocular trauma requiring hospital admission. Results A total of 104 patients (85.6% male) were reported as being admitted with ocular trauma with a median age of 32 years (IQR 24–54). There was a trend for increasing incidence of serious ocular injury with increasing socioeconomic deprivation (p=0.034). Patients from the most deprived areas (SIMD: 0%–20%) were twice as likely to sustain ocular injury compared with those from the least deprived (SIMD: 80%–100%) areas (relative risk: 2.19, 95% CI 1.02 to 4.81). There was no significant difference in the drive/public transport time to GP practices across the SIMD quintiles. Conclusions Increasing socioeconomic deprivation was associated with a higher incidence of serious ocular injury. Targeted interventions are needed to address inequality in eye healthcare in deprived areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liying Low
- Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Birmingham, UK
| | - James Hodson
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Daniel Morris
- Cardiff Eye Unit, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, Wales, UK
| | - Parul Desai
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Caroline MacEwen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
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28
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Marquant F, Goujon S, Faure L, Guissou S, Orsi L, Hémon D, Lacour B, Clavel J. Risk of Childhood Cancer and Socio-economic Disparities: Results of the French Nationwide Study Geocap 2002-2010. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2016; 30:612-622. [PMID: 27555468 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Socio-economic status is related to many life style and environmental factors, some of which have been suggested to influence the risk of childhood cancer. Studies requiring subject participation are usually hampered by selection of more educated parents. To prevent such bias, we used unselected nationwide Geographical Information System (GIS)-based registry data, to investigate the influence of socio-economic disparities on the risk of childhood cancer. METHODS The Geocap study included all French residents diagnosed with cancer aged up to 15 years over the period 2002-2010 (15 111 cases) and 45 000 contemporaneous controls representative of the childhood population. Area socio-economic characteristics used to calculate the European Deprivation Index (EDI) were based on census data collected on the fine scale of the Merged Islet for Statistical Information (IRIS). RESULTS Overall, the risk of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) was lower in the most deprived quintile than in the other quintiles of EDI (ORQ5vs<Q5 0.80 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.73, 0.88)). The odds ratio for all the other cancers taken together was close to the null (ORQ5vs<Q5 0.99 (95% CI 0.94, 1.04)). CONCLUSION Living in the most deprived areas was inversely associated with the risk of ALL in childhood. There was no indication that the risk of childhood cancer of any site could be increased by deprivation. Life style or environmental factors potentially underlying the association need further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabienne Marquant
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Sorbonne Paris Cité Centre (CRESS), Epidemiology of childhood and adolescent cancers research group (EPICEA), INSERM, UMR 1153, Paris Descartes University, Villejuif, France
| | - Stéphanie Goujon
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Sorbonne Paris Cité Centre (CRESS), Epidemiology of childhood and adolescent cancers research group (EPICEA), INSERM, UMR 1153, Paris Descartes University, Villejuif, France.,French National Registry of Childhood Haematological Malignancies (NRCH), Villejuif, France
| | - Laure Faure
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Sorbonne Paris Cité Centre (CRESS), Epidemiology of childhood and adolescent cancers research group (EPICEA), INSERM, UMR 1153, Paris Descartes University, Villejuif, France.,French National Registry of Childhood Haematological Malignancies (NRCH), Villejuif, France
| | - Sandra Guissou
- French National Registry of Childhood Solid Tumours (NRCST), Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France
| | - Laurent Orsi
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Sorbonne Paris Cité Centre (CRESS), Epidemiology of childhood and adolescent cancers research group (EPICEA), INSERM, UMR 1153, Paris Descartes University, Villejuif, France
| | - Denis Hémon
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Sorbonne Paris Cité Centre (CRESS), Epidemiology of childhood and adolescent cancers research group (EPICEA), INSERM, UMR 1153, Paris Descartes University, Villejuif, France
| | - Brigitte Lacour
- French National Registry of Childhood Solid Tumours (NRCST), Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France
| | - Jacqueline Clavel
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Sorbonne Paris Cité Centre (CRESS), Epidemiology of childhood and adolescent cancers research group (EPICEA), INSERM, UMR 1153, Paris Descartes University, Villejuif, France.,French National Registry of Childhood Haematological Malignancies (NRCH), Villejuif, France
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Kendall GM, Miles JCH, Rees D, Wakeford R, Bunch KJ, Vincent TJ, Little MP. Variation with socioeconomic status of indoor radon levels in Great Britain: The less affluent have less radon. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2016; 164:84-90. [PMID: 27442258 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Revised: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate a strong correlation between domestic radon levels and socio-economic status (SES) in Great Britain, so that radon levels in homes of people with lower SES are, on average, only about two thirds of those of the more affluent. This trend is apparent using small area measures of SES and also using individual social classes. The reasons for these differences are not known with certainty, but may be connected with greater underpressure in warmer and better-sealed dwellings. There is also a variation of indoor radon levels with the design of the house (detached, terraced, etc.). In part this is probably an effect of SES, but it appears to have other causes as well. Data from other countries are also reviewed, and broadly similar effects seen in the United States for SES, and in other European countries for detached vs other types of housing. Because of correlations with smoking, this tendency for the lower SES groups to experience lower radon levels may underlie the negative association between radon levels and lung cancer rates in a well-known ecological study based on US Counties. Those conducting epidemiological studies of radon should be alert for this effect and control adequately for SES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald M Kendall
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK.
| | - Jon C H Miles
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 0RQ, UK
| | - David Rees
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 0RQ, UK
| | - Richard Wakeford
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Institute of Population Health, The University of Manchester, Ellen Wilkinson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Kathryn J Bunch
- National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Tim J Vincent
- Formerly Childhood Cancer Research Group, University of Oxford, New Richards Building, Old Road 12 Campus, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Mark P Little
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, DHHS, NIH, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9778, USA
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Neighbourhood Deprivation, Individual-Level and Familial-Level Socio-demographic Factors and Risk of Congenital Heart Disease: A Nationwide Study from Sweden. Int J Behav Med 2016; 23:112-20. [PMID: 25929332 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-015-9488-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of the study is to examine whether there is an association between neighbourhood deprivation and incidence of congenital heart disease (CHD), after accounting for family- and individual-level potential confounders. METHODS All children aged 0 to 11 years and living in Sweden (n = 748,951) were followed between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2010. Data were analysed by multilevel logistic regression, with family- and individual-level characteristics at the first level and level of neighbourhood deprivation at the second level. RESULTS During the study period, among a total of 748,951 children, 1499 (0.2%) were hospitalised with CHD. Age-adjusted cumulative hospitalisation rates for CHD increased with increasing level of neighbourhood deprivation. In the study population, 1.8 per 1000 and 2.2 per 1000 children in the least and most deprived neighbourhoods, respectively, were hospitalised with CHD. The incidence of hospitalisation for CHD increased with increasing neighbourhood-level deprivation across all family and individual-level socio-demographic categories. The odds ratio (OR) for hospitalisation for CHD for those living in high-deprivation neighbourhoods versus those living in low-deprivation neighbourhoods was 1.23 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04-1.46). In the full model, which took account for age, paternal and maternal individual-level socio-economic characteristics, comorbidities (e.g. maternal type 2 diabetes, OR = 3.03; maternal hypertension, OR = 2.01), and family history of CHD (OR = 3.27), the odds of CHD were slightly attenuated but did not remain significant in the most deprived neighbourhoods (OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.99-1.45, p = 0.057). CONCLUSIONS This study is the largest so far on neighbourhood influences on CHD, and the results suggest that deprived neighbourhoods have higher rates of CHD, which represents important clinical knowledge. However, the association does not seem to be independent of individual- and family-level characteristics.
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31
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Ezzat S, Rashed WM, Salem S, Dorak MT, El-Daly M, Abdel-Hamid M, Sidhom I, El-Hadad A, Loffredo C. Environmental, maternal, and reproductive risk factors for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Egypt: a case-control study. BMC Cancer 2016; 16:662. [PMID: 27544685 PMCID: PMC4992254 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-016-2689-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric cancer. The exact cause is not known in most cases, but past epidemiological research has suggested a number of potential risk factors. This study evaluated associations between environmental and parental factors and the risk for ALL in Egyptian children to gain insight into risk factors in this developing country. METHODS We conducted a case-control design from May 2009 to February 2012. Cases were recruited from Children's Cancer Hospital, Egypt (CCHE). Healthy controls were randomly selected from the general population to frequency-match the cumulative group of cases by sex, age groups (<1; 1 - 5; >5 - 10; >10 years) and region of residence (Cairo metropolitan region, Nile Delta region (North), and Upper Egypt (South)). Mothers provided answers to an administered questionnaire about their environmental exposures and health history including those of the father. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using logistic regression with adjustment for covariates. RESULTS Two hundred ninety nine ALL cases and 351 population-based controls frequency-matched for age group, gender and location were recruited. The risk of ALL was increased with the mother's use of medications for ovulation induction (ORadj = 2.5, 95 % CI =1.2 -5.1) and to a lesser extend with her age (ORadj = 1.8, 95 % CI = 1.1 - 2.8, for mothers ≥ 30 years old). Delivering the child by Cesarean section, was also associated with increased risk (ORadj = 2.01, 95 % CI =1.24-2.81). CONCLUSIONS In Egypt, the risk for childhood ALL appears to be associated with older maternal age, and certain maternal reproductive factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameera Ezzat
- National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shibin El Kom, Egypt
| | - Wafaa M. Rashed
- Children’s Cancer Hospital 57357, El Sayeda Zeinab, Cairo, 11441 Egypt
| | - Sherin Salem
- Children’s Cancer Hospital 57357, El Sayeda Zeinab, Cairo, 11441 Egypt
- National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - M. Tevfik Dorak
- School of Health Sciences, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Mai El-Daly
- National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shibin El Kom, Egypt
| | | | - Iman Sidhom
- Children’s Cancer Hospital 57357, El Sayeda Zeinab, Cairo, 11441 Egypt
- National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Alaa El-Hadad
- Children’s Cancer Hospital 57357, El Sayeda Zeinab, Cairo, 11441 Egypt
- National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Henry KA, Fagliano J, Jordan HM, Rechtman L, Kaye WE. Geographic Variation of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Incidence in New Jersey, 2009-2011. Am J Epidemiol 2015; 182:512-9. [PMID: 26041711 PMCID: PMC4564938 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwv095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Accepted: 04/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Few analyses in the United States have examined geographic variation and socioeconomic disparities in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) incidence, because of lack of population-based incidence data. In this analysis, we used population-based ALS data to identify whether ALS incidence clusters geographically and to determine whether ALS risk varies by area-based socioeconomic status (SES). This study included 493 incident ALS cases diagnosed (via El Escorial criteria) in New Jersey between 2009 and 2011. Geographic variation and clustering of ALS incidence was assessed using a spatial scan statistic and Bayesian geoadditive models. Poisson regression was used to estimate the associations between ALS risk and SES based on census-tract median income while controlling for age, sex, and race. ALS incidence varied across and within counties, but there were no statistically significant geographic clusters. SES was associated with ALS incidence. After adjustment for age, sex, and race, the relative risk of ALS was significantly higher (relative risk (RR) = 1.37, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02, 1.82) in the highest income quartile than in the lowest. The relative risk of ALS was significantly lower among blacks (RR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.39, 0.83) and Asians (RR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.41, 0.97) than among whites. Our findings suggest that ALS incidence in New Jersey appears to be associated with SES and race.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A. Henry
- Correspondence to Dr. Kevin A. Henry, Department of Geography and Urban Studies, College of Liberal Arts, Temple University, Gladfelter Hall, Room 313b, Philadelphia, PA 19122 (e-mail: )
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Adam M, Kuehni CE, Spoerri A, Schmidlin K, Gumy-Pause F, Brazzola P, Probst-Hensch N, Zwahlen M. Socioeconomic Status and Childhood Leukemia Incidence in Switzerland. Front Oncol 2015; 5:139. [PMID: 26175964 PMCID: PMC4485172 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Socioeconomic status (SES) discrepancies exist for child and adult cancer morbidity and are a major public health concern. In this Swiss population-based matched case–control study on the etiology of childhood leukemia, we selected the cases from the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry diagnosed since 1991 and the controls randomly from census. We assigned eight controls per case from the 1990 and 2000 census and matched them by the year of birth and gender. SES information for both cases and controls was obtained from census records by probabilistic record linkage. We investigated the association of SES with childhood leukemia in Switzerland, and explored whether it varied with different definitions of socioeconomic status (parental education, living condition, area-based SES), time period, and age. In conditional logistic regression analyses of 565 leukemia cases and 4433 controls, we found no consistent evidence for an association between SES and childhood leukemia. The odds ratio comparing the highest with the lowest SES category ranged from 0.95 (95% CI: 0.71–1.26; Ptrend = 0.73) for paternal education to 1.37 (1.00–1.89; Ptrend = 0.064) for maternal education. No effect modification was found for time period and age at diagnosis. Based on this population-based study, which avoided participation and reporting bias, we assume the potential association of socioeconomic status and childhood leukemia if existing to be small. This study did not find evidence that socioeconomic status, of Switzerland or comparable countries, is a relevant risk factor or strong confounder in etiological investigations on childhood leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Adam
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute , Basel , Switzerland ; University of Basel , Basel , Switzerland ; Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
| | - Claudia E Kuehni
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
| | - Adrian Spoerri
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
| | - Kurt Schmidlin
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
| | - Fabienne Gumy-Pause
- Haematology/Oncology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital of Geneva , Geneva , Switzerland
| | - Pierluigi Brazzola
- Department of Paediatrics, Ospedale San Giovanni , Bellinzona , Switzerland
| | - Nicole Probst-Hensch
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute , Basel , Switzerland ; University of Basel , Basel , Switzerland
| | - Marcel Zwahlen
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
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Del Risco Kollerud R, Blaasaas KG, Claussen B. Poverty and the risk of leukemia and cancer in the central nervous system in children: A cohort study in a high-income country. Scand J Public Health 2015; 43:736-43. [PMID: 26088131 DOI: 10.1177/1403494815590499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The association between childhood cancer and socioeconomic status is inconclusive. Family income has seldom been included in large population-based studies, and the specific contributions of it remain unknown. METHODS A total of 712,674 children born between 1967 and 2009 in the Oslo region were included. Of these, 864 were diagnosed with leukemia or cancer in the central nervous system before the age of 15 years. The association between poverty and childhood leukemia or brain cancer was analyzed using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models. Family income was stratified according to poverty lines. Parents' educational level and several perinatal variables were also examined. RESULTS Family poverty during the first 2 years of life was associated with lymphoid leukemia before the age of 15 years: odds ratio 1.72, 95% confidence interval 1.11-2.64. In the same age group we found a significant dose response, with a 21% increased risk of lymphoid leukemia with increasing poverty. The risk for intracranial and intraspinal embryonal tumors in the whole study period was lower for children in the middle family income category. For astrocytomas there was a more than 70% increased risk in the medium income category when analyzing the two first years of life. The observed increase was reduced when all years each child contributed to the study were included. The risk of cancer in the central nervous system overall was 20% higher in the medium income category compared to the high-income category. CONCLUSIONS Being born into a household of low family income the first 2 years of life was found to be a risk factor for development of lymphoid leukemia. For astrocytomas we observed an increased risk among children born into the medium income category throughout the first two years of life.
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Maia RDRP, Wünsch Filho V. Infection and childhood leukemia: review of evidence. Rev Saude Publica 2014; 47:1172-85. [PMID: 24626555 PMCID: PMC4206105 DOI: 10.1590/s0034-8910.2013047004753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2013] [Accepted: 07/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze studies that evaluated the role of infections as well as indirect
measures of exposure to infection in the risk of childhood leukemia,
particularly acute lymphoblastic leukemia. METHODS A search in Medline, Lilacs, and SciELO scientific publication databases
initially using the descriptors "childhood leukemia" and "infection" and
later searching for the words "childhood leukemia" and "maternal infection
or disease" or "breastfeeding" or "daycare attendance" or "vaccination"
resulted in 62 publications that met the following inclusion criteria:
subject aged ≤ 15 years; specific analysis of cases diagnosed with acute
lymphoblastic leukemia or total leukemia; exposure assessment of mothers' or
infants' to infections (or proxy of infection), and risk of leukemia. RESULTS Overall, 23 studies that assessed infections in children support the
hypothesis that occurrence of infection during early childhood reduces the
risk of leukemia, but there are disagreements within and between studies.
The evaluation of exposure to infection by indirect measures showed evidence
of reduced risk of leukemia associated mainly with daycare attendance. More
than 50.0% of the 16 studies that assessed maternal exposure to infection
observed increased risk of leukemia associated with episodes of influenza,
pneumonia, chickenpox, herpes zoster, lower genital tract infection, skin
disease, sexually transmitted diseases, Epstein-Barr virus, and
Helicobacter pylori. CONCLUSIONS Although no specific infectious agent has been identified, scientific
evidence suggests that exposure to infections has some effect on childhood
leukemia etiology.
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Yang L, Yuan Y, Sun T, Li H, Wang N. Characteristics and trends in incidence of childhood cancer in Beijing, China, 2000-2009. Chin J Cancer Res 2014; 26:285-92. [PMID: 25035655 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.1000-9604.2014.06.09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 05/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the characteristics and incidence trends of childhood cancer in Beijing, China, from 2000 to 2009. METHODS A total of 1,274 cases with childhood cancer in Beijing from 2000 to 2009 were included in the study. All rates were age-standardized using the direct method to the world standard population and expressed per million person-years. Incidence trends were characterized by calculating annual percent change (APC) using Joinpoint Regression Program. RESULTS The crude incidence rate was 106.47 per million [age-standardized rate (ASR) 113.34] between 2000 and 2009 in Beijing with the most common diagnoses, leukemia (N=505, 39.64%, ASR 45.20), followed by central nervous system (CNS) tumors (N=228, 17.90%, ASR 19.28) and lymphoma (N=91, 7.14%, ASR 6.97). The incidence for all childhood cancers combined has increased during the study period, with an APC of 5.84% [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.0-10.9] after adjusted by world population. The ASR of all combined cancers in boys showed a slight, but no significant increase, with an APC of 5.33% (95% CI: -0.6-11.6); for girls, the trends increased significantly, with an APC of 6.54% (95% CI: 1.5-11.8). CONCLUSIONS The incidence rate of childhood cancer in Beijing was higher than the average level of China and lower than that of western countries. The incidence trends of childhood cancer, especially leukemia among girls showed a significantly increase from 2000 to 2009. While among boys, no substantially change was seen during the observed time period. Some sex-specific trends by subcategories and trends of major cancers in different age groups by cancer site merit further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Beijing Office for Cancer Prevention and Control, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Yannan Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Beijing Office for Cancer Prevention and Control, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Tingting Sun
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Beijing Office for Cancer Prevention and Control, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Huichao Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Beijing Office for Cancer Prevention and Control, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Beijing Office for Cancer Prevention and Control, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
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Leukemia and brain tumors among children after radiation exposure from CT scans: design and methodological opportunities of the Dutch Pediatric CT Study. Eur J Epidemiol 2014; 29:293-301. [DOI: 10.1007/s10654-014-9900-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2013] [Accepted: 04/04/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Ward E, DeSantis C, Robbins A, Kohler B, Jemal A. Childhood and adolescent cancer statistics, 2014. CA Cancer J Clin 2014; 64:83-103. [PMID: 24488779 DOI: 10.3322/caac.21219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1477] [Impact Index Per Article: 147.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2013] [Accepted: 12/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In this article, the American Cancer Society provides estimates of the number of new cancer cases and deaths for children and adolescents in the United States and summarizes the most recent and comprehensive data on cancer incidence, mortality, and survival from the National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (which are reported in detail for the first time here and include high-quality data from 45 states and the District of Columbia, covering 90% of the US population). In 2014, an estimated 15,780 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed and 1960 deaths from cancer will occur among children and adolescents aged birth to 19 years. The annual incidence rate of cancer in children and adolescents is 186.6 per 1 million children aged birth to 19 years. Approximately 1 in 285 children will be diagnosed with cancer before age 20 years, and approximately 1 in 530 young adults between the ages of 20 and 39 years is a childhood cancer survivor. It is therefore likely that most pediatric and primary care practices will be involved in the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of young patients and survivors. In addition to cancer statistics, this article will provide an overview of risk factors, symptoms, treatment, and long-term and late effects for common pediatric cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Ward
- National Vice President, Intramural Research, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA
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Survival improvement by decade of patients aged 0-14 years with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a SEER analysis. Sci Rep 2014; 4:4227. [PMID: 24572378 PMCID: PMC3936227 DOI: 10.1038/srep04227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2013] [Accepted: 02/12/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
To evaluate treatment outcomes in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) over the past 3 decades, we assessed the survival of children with ALL in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Among 12,096 patients from 18 SEER sites diagnosed from 1981 to 2010, survival rates improved each decade from 74.8% to 84.5% to 88.6% at 5 years and from 69.3% to 80.9% to 85.5% at 10 years (P < 0.0001). For ages 10–14 years, 10-year survival increased by more than 20 percentage points to 75.3%, but for infants, it remained low at 54.7%. Improvements in survival rates were observed in both sexes, but survival rates were higher in girls than in boys. For ages 0–14 years during the 2001–2010 period, the 10-year relative survival rates were 87.8% in girls and 83.6% in boys (P < 0.01). Survival rates in child with ALL are expected to further improve with continuous advance in therapies such as targeted therapy and personalized therapy.
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Bunch KJ, Keegan TJ, Swanson J, Vincent TJ, Murphy MFG. Residential distance at birth from overhead high-voltage powerlines: childhood cancer risk in Britain 1962-2008. Br J Cancer 2014; 110:1402-8. [PMID: 24504371 PMCID: PMC3950865 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2014.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2013] [Revised: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 12/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: We extend our previous study of childhood leukaemia and proximity to high-voltage powerlines by including more recent data and cases and controls from Scotland, by considering 132-kV powerlines as well as 275 and 400 kV and by looking at greater distances from the powerlines. Methods: Case–control study using 53 515 children from the National Registry of Childhood Tumours 1962–2008, matched controls, and calculated distances of mother's address at child's birth to powerlines at 132, 275, and 400 kV in England, Wales and Scotland. Results: Our previous finding of an excess risk for leukaemia at distances out to 600 m declines over time. Relative risk and 95% confidence interval for leukaemia, 0–199 m compared with>1000 m, all voltages: 1960s 4.50 (0.97–20.83), 2000s 0.71 (0.49–1.03), aggregate over whole period 1.12 (0.90–1.38). Increased risk, albeit less strong, may also be present for 132-kV lines. Increased risk does not extend beyond 600 m for lines of any voltage. Conclusions: A risk declining over time is unlikely to arise from any physical effect of the powerlines and is more likely to be the result of changing population characteristics among those living near powerlines.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Bunch
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, University of Oxford, New Richards Building, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LG, UK
| | - T J Keegan
- Lancaster Medical School, Lancaster University, Furness Building, Lancaster LA1 4YA, UK
| | - J Swanson
- National Grid, 1-3 Strand, London WC2N 5EH, UK
| | - T J Vincent
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, University of Oxford, New Richards Building, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LG, UK
| | - M F G Murphy
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, University of Oxford, New Richards Building, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LG, UK
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O’Neill KA, Bunch KJ, Murphy MFG. Intrauterine growth and childhood leukemia and lymphoma risk. Expert Rev Hematol 2014; 5:559-76. [DOI: 10.1586/ehm.12.39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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Li X, Memarian E, Sundquist J, Zöller B, Sundquist K. Neighbourhood deprivation, individual-level familial and socio-demographic factors and diagnosed childhood obesity: a nationwide multilevel study from Sweden. Obes Facts 2014; 7:253-63. [PMID: 25096052 PMCID: PMC5644866 DOI: 10.1159/000365955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2013] [Accepted: 03/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine whether there is an association between neighbourhood deprivation and diagnosed childhood obesity, after accounting for family- and individual-level socio-demographic characteristics. METHODS An open cohort of all children aged 0-14 years was followed between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2010. Childhood residential locations were geocoded and classified according to neighbourhood deprivation. Data were analysed by multilevel logistic regression, with family- and individual-level characteristics at the first level and level of neighbourhood deprivation at the second level. RESULTS During the study period, among a total of 948,062 children, 10,799 were diagnosed with childhood obesity. Age-adjusted cumulative incidence for diagnosed childhood obesity increased with increasing level of neighbourhood deprivation. Incidence of diagnosed childhood obesity increased with increasing neighbourhood-level deprivation across all family and individual-level socio-demographic categories. The odds ratio (OR) for diagnosed childhood obesity for those living in high-deprivation neighbourhoods versus those living in low-deprivation neighbourhoods was 2.44 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.22-2.68). High neighbourhood deprivation remained significantly associated with higher odds of diagnosed childhood obesity after adjustment for family- and individual-level socio-demographic characteristics (OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.55-1.89). Age, middle level family income, maternal marital status, low level education, living in large cities, advanced paternal and maternal age, family history of obesity, parental history of diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, alcoholism and personal history of diabetes were all associated with higher odds of diagnosed childhood obesity. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that neighbourhood characteristics affect the odds of diagnosed childhood obesity independently of family- and individual-level socio-demographic characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjun Li
- Centre for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University/Region Skåne, Malmö, Sweden
- *Dr. Xinjun Li, Centre for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University/Region Skåne, CRC, building 28, floor 11, Skåne University Hospital, Jan Waldenströms gata 35, 205 02 Malmö (Sweden),
| | - Ensieh Memarian
- Centre for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University/Region Skåne, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Jan Sundquist
- Centre for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University/Region Skåne, Malmö, Sweden
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Bengt Zöller
- Centre for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University/Region Skåne, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Kristina Sundquist
- Centre for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University/Region Skåne, Malmö, Sweden
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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Bithell JF, Murphy MFG, Stiller CA, Toumpakari E, Vincent T, Wakeford R. Leukaemia in young children in the vicinity of British nuclear power plants: a case-control study. Br J Cancer 2013; 109:2880-5. [PMID: 24030074 PMCID: PMC3844901 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2013.560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Revised: 08/17/2013] [Accepted: 08/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Concern about the risk of leukaemia in children living near nuclear power plants (NPPs) persists. Previous British analyses have been area based and consequently thought to be less effective than case-control studies. METHODS Cases of childhood leukaemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (LNHL) born and diagnosed in Great Britain between 1962 and 2007, with matched cancer-free controls, were analysed by logistic regression to estimate the risk of residential proximity at birth and diagnosis to the nearest NPP, adjusting for relevant variables. RESULTS For 9821 children with LNHL under the age of 5 years, the estimated extra risk associated with residential proximity to an NPP at birth was negative-interpolated Odds Ratio (OR) at 5 km was 0.86 (0.49-1.52). The comparison of 10 618 children with LNHL under five with 16 760 similarly aged children with other cancers also gave a negative estimate of the extra risk of residential proximity at diagnosis-interpolated OR at 5 km was 0.86 (0.62-1.18). CONCLUSION Our results show little evidence of an increase in risk of LNHL to children aged under 5 years from living in the vicinity of an NPP. Risk estimates are incompatible with comparable ones published in a recent German case-control study.
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Affiliation(s)
- J F Bithell
- Department of Paediatrics, Childhood Cancer Research Group, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LG, UK
| | - M F G Murphy
- Department of Paediatrics, Childhood Cancer Research Group, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LG, UK
| | - C A Stiller
- Department of Paediatrics, Childhood Cancer Research Group, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LG, UK
| | - E Toumpakari
- Department of Paediatrics, Childhood Cancer Research Group, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LG, UK
| | - T Vincent
- Department of Paediatrics, Childhood Cancer Research Group, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LG, UK
| | - R Wakeford
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Institute of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Extremely low-frequency magnetic fields are designated as possibly carcinogenic in humans, based on an epidemiologic association with childhood leukemia. Evidence for associations with adult cancers is weaker and inconsistent. METHODS We conducted a case-control study to investigate risks of adult cancers in relation to distance and extremely low-frequency magnetic fields from high-voltage overhead power lines using National Cancer Registry Data in England and Wales, 1974-2008. The study included 7823 leukemia, 6781 brain/central nervous system cancers, 9153 malignant melanoma, 29,202 female breast cancer cases, and 79,507 controls frequency-matched on year and region (three controls per case except for female breast cancer, one control per case) 15-74 years of age living within 1000 m of a high-voltage overhead power line. RESULTS There were no clear patterns of excess risk with distance from power lines. After adjustment for confounders (age, sex [except breast cancer], deprivation, rurality), for distances closest to the power lines (0-49 m) compared with distances 600-1000 m, odds ratios (ORs) ranged from 0.82 (95% confidence interval = 0.61-1.11; 66 cases) for malignant melanoma to 1.22 (0.88-1.69) for brain/central nervous system cancer. We observed no meaningful excess risks and no trends of risk with magnetic field strength for the four cancers examined. In adjusted analyses at the highest estimated field strength, ≥1000 nanotesla (nT), compared with <100 nT, ORs ranged from 0.68 (0.39-1.17) for malignant melanoma to 1.08 (0.77-1.51) for female breast cancer. CONCLUSION Our results do not support an epidemiologic association of adult cancers with residential magnetic fields in proximity to high-voltage overhead power lines.
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Keegan TJ, Bunch KJ, Vincent TJ, King JC, O'Neill KA, Kendall GM, MacCarthy A, Fear NT, Murphy MFG. Case-control study of paternal occupation and social class with risk of childhood central nervous system tumours in Great Britain, 1962-2006. Br J Cancer 2013; 108:1907-14. [PMID: 23612452 PMCID: PMC3658514 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2013.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2012] [Revised: 03/22/2013] [Accepted: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paternal occupational exposures have been proposed as a risk factor for childhood central nervous system (CNS) tumours. This study investigates possible associations between paternal occupational exposure and childhood CNS tumours in Great Britain. METHODS The National Registry of Childhood Tumours provided all cases of childhood CNS tumours born and diagnosed in Great Britain from 1962 to 2006. Controls without cancer were matched on sex, period of birth and birth registration sub-district. Fathers' occupations were assigned to one or more of 33 exposure groups. A measure of social class was also derived from father's occupation at the time of the child's birth. RESULTS Of 11 119 cases of CNS tumours, 5 722 (51%) were astrocytomas or other gliomas, 2 286 (21%) were embryonal and 985 (9%) were ependymomas. There was an increased risk for CNS tumours overall with exposure to animals, odds ratio (OR) 1.40 (95% confidence intervals (CIs) 1.01, 1.94) and, after adjustment for occupational social class (OSC), with exposure to lead, OR 1.18 (1.01, 1.39). Exposure to metal-working oil mists was associated with reduced risk of CNS tumours, both before and after adjustment for OSC, OR 0.87 (0.75, 0.99).Risk of ependymomas was raised for exposure to solvents, OR 1.73 (1.02,2.92). For astrocytomas and other gliomas, risk was raised with high social contact, although this was only statistically significant before adjustment for OSC, OR 1.15 (1.01,1.31). Exposure to paints and metals appeared to reduce the risk of astrocytomas and embryonal tumours, respectively. However, as these results were the result of a number of statistical tests, it is possible they were generated by chance.Higher social class was a risk factor for all CNS tumours, OR 0.97 (0.95, 0.99). This was driven by increased risk for higher social classes within the major subtype astrocytoma, OR 0.95 (0.91, 0.98). CONCLUSION Our results provide little evidence that paternal occupation is a significant risk factor for childhood CNS tumours, either overall or for specific subtypes. However, these analyses suggest that OSC of the father may be associated with risk of some childhood CNS cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- T J Keegan
- Furness Building, Lancaster Medical School, Lancaster University, LA1 4YG Lancaster, UK.
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Case-control study of paternal occupation and childhood leukaemia in Great Britain, 1962-2006. Br J Cancer 2012; 107:1652-9. [PMID: 22968649 PMCID: PMC3493752 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2012.359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Paternal occupational exposures have been proposed as a risk factor for childhood leukaemia. This study investigates possible associations between paternal occupational exposure and childhood leukaemia in Great Britain. Methods: The National Registry of Childhood Tumours provided all cases of childhood leukaemia born and diagnosed in Great Britain between 1962 and 2006. Controls were matched on sex, period of birth and birth registration subdistrict. Fathers’ occupations were assigned to 1 or more of 33 exposure groups. Social class was derived from father’s occupation at the time of the child’s birth. Results: A total of 16 764 cases of childhood leukaemia were ascertained. One exposure group, paternal social contact, was associated with total childhood leukaemia (odds ratio 1.14, 1.05–1.23); this association remained significant when adjusted for social class. The subtypes lymphoid leukaemia (LL) and acute myeloid leukaemia showed increased risk with paternal exposure to social contact before adjustment for social class. Risk of other leukaemias was significantly increased by exposure to electromagnetic fields, persisting after adjustment for social class. For total leukaemia, the risks for exposure to lead and exhaust fumes were significantly <1. Occupationally derived social class was associated with risk of LL, with the risk being increased in the higher social classes. Conclusion: Our results showed some support for a positive association between childhood leukaemia risk and paternal occupation involving social contact. Additionally, LL risk increased with higher paternal occupational social class.
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Evidence for under-diagnosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in poorer communities within Great Britain. Br J Cancer 2012; 106:1556-9. [PMID: 22472883 PMCID: PMC3341865 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2012.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Recorded incidence of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia tends to be lower in poorer communities. A ‘pre-emptive infection hypothesis’ proposes that some children with leukaemia die from infection without diagnosis of leukaemia. Various different blood abnormalities can occur in untreated leukaemia. Methods: Logistic regression was used to compare pre-treatment blood counts among children aged 1–13 years at recruitment to national clinical trials for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia during 1980–2002 (N=5601), grouped by address at diagnosis within Great Britain into quintiles of the 1991 Carstairs deprivation index. Children combining severe neutropenia (risk of serious infection) with relatively normal haemoglobin and platelet counts (lack of pallor and bleeding) were postulated to be at risk of dying from infection without leukaemia being suspected. A deficit of these children among diagnosed patients from poorer communities was predicted. Results: As predicted, there was a deficit of children at risk of non-diagnosis (two-sided Ptrend=0.004; N=2009), and an excess of children with pallor (Ptrend=0.045; N=5535) and bleeding (Ptrend=0.036; N=5541), among cases from poorer communities. Conclusion: Under-diagnosis in poorer communities may have contributed to socioeconomic variation in recorded childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia incidence within Great Britain, and elsewhere. Implications for clinical practice and epidemiological studies should be considered.
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A record-based case-control study of natural background radiation and the incidence of childhood leukaemia and other cancers in Great Britain during 1980-2006. Leukemia 2012; 27:3-9. [PMID: 22766784 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2012.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
We conducted a large record-based case-control study testing associations between childhood cancer and natural background radiation. Cases (27,447) born and diagnosed in Great Britain during 1980-2006 and matched cancer-free controls (36,793) were from the National Registry of Childhood Tumours. Radiation exposures were estimated for mother's residence at the child's birth from national databases, using the County District mean for gamma rays, and a predictive map based on domestic measurements grouped by geological boundaries for radon. There was 12% excess relative risk (ERR) (95% CI 3, 22; two-sided P=0.01) of childhood leukaemia per millisievert of cumulative red bone marrow dose from gamma radiation; the analogous association for radon was not significant, ERR 3% (95% CI -4, 11; P=0.35). Associations for other childhood cancers were not significant for either exposure. Excess risk was insensitive to adjustment for measures of socio-economic status. The statistically significant leukaemia risk reported in this reasonably powered study (power ~50%) is consistent with high-dose rate predictions. Substantial bias is unlikely, and we cannot identify mechanisms by which confounding might plausibly account for the association, which we regard as likely to be causal. The study supports the extrapolation of high-dose rate risk models to protracted exposures at natural background exposure levels.
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Kroll ME, Stiller CA, Murphy MFG. Reply: ‘Childhood leukaemia and socioeconomic status’. Br J Cancer 2012. [PMCID: PMC3389398 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2012.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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