1
|
Ullah A, Chen Y, Singla RK, Cao D, Shen B. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and CXC chemokines as game-changer in age-associated prostate cancer and ovarian cancer: Insights from preclinical and clinical studies' outcomes. Pharmacol Res 2024; 204:107213. [PMID: 38750677 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PC) and Ovarian cancer (OC) are two of the most common types of cancer that affect the reproductive systems of older men and women. These cancers are associated with a poor quality of life among the aged population. Therefore, finding new and innovative ways to detect, treat, and prevent these cancers in older patients is essential. Finding biomarkers for these malignancies will increase the chance of early detection and effective treatment, subsequently improving the survival rate. Studies have shown that the prevalence and health of some illnesses are linked to an impaired immune system. However, the age-associated changes in the immune system during malignancies such as PC and OC are poorly understood. Recent research has suggested that the excessive production of inflammatory immune mediators, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), transforming growth factor (TGF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), CXC motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1), CXC motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12), and CXC motif chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13), etc., significantly impact the development of PC and OC in elderly patients. Our review focuses on the latest functional studies of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukins) and CXC chemokines, which serve as biomarkers in elderly patients with PC and OC. Thus, we aim to shed light on how these biomarkers affect the development of PC and OC in elderly patients. We also examine the current status and future perspective of cytokines (interleukins) and CXC chemokines-based therapeutic targets in OC and PC treatment for elderly patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amin Ullah
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, Cancer Center of West China Hospital and Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yongxiu Chen
- Gynecology Department, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, No. 521, Xingnan Road, Panyu District, Guangzhou 511442, China
| | - Rajeev K Singla
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, Cancer Center of West China Hospital and Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144411, India
| | - Dan Cao
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, Cancer Center of West China Hospital and Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bairong Shen
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, Cancer Center of West China Hospital and Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tuminello S, Ashebir YA, Schroff C, Ramaswami S, Durmus N, Chen Y, Snuderl M, Shao Y, Reibman J, Arslan AA. Genome-wide DNA methylation profiles and breast cancer among World Trade Center survivors. Environ Epidemiol 2024; 8:e313. [PMID: 38841706 PMCID: PMC11152787 DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000313] [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: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Increased incidence of cancer has been reported among World Trade Center (WTC)-exposed persons. Aberrant DNA methylation is a hallmark of cancer development. To date, only a few small studies have investigated the relationship between WTC exposure and DNA methylation. The main objective of this study was to assess the DNA methylation profiles of WTC-exposed community members who remained cancer free and those who developed breast cancer. Methods WTC-exposed women were selected from the WTC Environmental Health Center clinic, with peripheral blood collected during routine clinical monitoring visits. The reference group was selected from the NYU Women's Health Study, a prospective cohort study with blood samples collected before 9 November 2001. The Infinium MethylationEPIC array was used for global DNA methylation profiling, with adjustments for cell type composition and other confounders. Annotated probes were used for biological pathway and network analysis. Results A total of 64 WTC-exposed (32 cancer free and 32 with breast cancer) and 32 WTC-unexposed (16 cancer free and 16 with prediagnostic breast cancer) participants were included. Hypermethylated cytosine-phosphate-guanine probe sites (defined as β > 0.8) were more common among WTC-exposed versus unexposed participants (14.3% vs. 4.5%, respectively, among the top 5000 cytosine-phosphate-guanine sites). Cancer-related pathways (e.g., human papillomavirus infection, cGMP-PKG) were overrepresented in WTC-exposed groups (breast cancer patients and cancer-free subjects). Compared to the unexposed breast cancer patients, 47 epigenetically dysregulated genes were identified among WTC-exposed breast cancers. These genes formed a network, including Wnt/β-catenin signaling genes WNT4 and TCF7L2, and dysregulation of these genes contributes to cancer immune evasion. Conclusion WTC exposure likely impacts DNA methylation and may predispose exposed individuals toward cancer development, possibly through an immune-mediated mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Tuminello
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, New York
| | - Yibeltal Arega Ashebir
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, New York
| | - Chanel Schroff
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, New York
| | - Sitharam Ramaswami
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, New York
| | - Nedim Durmus
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, New York
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, New York
- NYU Perlmutter Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York City, New York
| | - Matija Snuderl
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, New York
| | - Yongzhao Shao
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, New York
- NYU Perlmutter Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York City, New York
| | - Joan Reibman
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, New York
- Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, New York
| | - Alan A. Arslan
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, New York
- NYU Perlmutter Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York City, New York
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, New York
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tuminello S, Nguyen E, Durmus N, Alptekin R, Yilmaz M, Crisanti MC, Snuderl M, Chen Y, Shao Y, Reibman J, Taioli E, Arslan AA. World Trade Center Exposure, DNA Methylation Changes, and Cancer: A Review of Current Evidence. EPIGENOMES 2023; 7:31. [PMID: 38131903 PMCID: PMC10742700 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes7040031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Known carcinogens in the dust and fumes from the destruction of the World Trade Center (WTC) towers on 9 November 2001 included metals, asbestos, and organic pollutants, which have been shown to modify epigenetic status. Epigenome-wide association analyses (EWAS) using uniform (Illumina) methodology have identified novel epigenetic profiles of WTC exposure. Methods: We reviewed all published data, comparing differentially methylated gene profiles identified in the prior EWAS studies of WTC exposure. This included DNA methylation changes in blood-derived DNA from cases of cancer-free "Survivors" and those with breast cancer, as well as tissue-derived DNA from "Responders" with prostate cancer. Emerging molecular pathways related to the observed DNA methylation changes in WTC-exposed groups were explored and summarized. Results: WTC dust exposure appears to be associated with DNA methylation changes across the genome. Notably, WTC dust exposure appears to be associated with increased global DNA methylation; direct dysregulation of cancer genes and pathways, including inflammation and immune system dysregulation; and endocrine system disruption, as well as disruption of cholesterol homeostasis and lipid metabolism. Conclusion: WTC dust exposure appears to be associated with biologically meaningful DNA methylation changes, with implications for carcinogenesis and development of other chronic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Tuminello
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (S.T.)
| | - Emelie Nguyen
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Nedim Durmus
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Ramazan Alptekin
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Muhammed Yilmaz
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | | | - Matija Snuderl
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (S.T.)
- NYU Perlmutter Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Yongzhao Shao
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (S.T.)
- NYU Perlmutter Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Joan Reibman
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Emanuela Taioli
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Alan A. Arslan
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (S.T.)
- NYU Perlmutter Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Khalifeh M, Goldfarb DG, Zeig-Owens R, Todd AC, Shapiro MZ, Carwile M, Dasaro CR, Li J, Yung J, Farfel MR, Brackbill RM, Cone JE, Qiao B, Schymura MJ, Prezant DJ, Hall C, Boffetta P. Cancer incidence in World Trade Center rescue and recovery workers by race and ethnicity. Am J Ind Med 2023; 66:1048-1055. [PMID: 37746817 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23539] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION It is unclear whether differences in health outcomes by racial and ethnic groups among World Trade Center (WTC) rescue and recovery workers reflect those of the population of New York State (NYS) or show distinct patterns. We assessed cancer incidence in WTC workers by self-reported race and ethnicity, and compared it to population figures for NYS. METHODS A total of 61,031 WTC workers enrolled between September 11, 2001 and January 10, 2012 were followed to December 31, 2015. To evaluate the association between race/ethnicity and cancer risk, Poisson regression analysis was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) adjusted for WTC exposure, age, calendar year, sex and, for lung cancer, cigarette smoking. RESULTS In comparison to Whites, Black workers had a higher incidence of prostate cancer (HR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.69-2.34) and multiple myeloma (HR = 3.57, 95% CI = 1.97-6.45), and a lower incidence of thyroid (HR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.22-0.78) and colorectal cancer (HR = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.33-0.98). Hispanic workers had a higher incidence of liver cancer (HR = 4.03, 95% CI = 2.23-7.28). Compared with NYS population, White workers had significantly higher incidence of prostate cancer (HR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.18-1.35) and thyroid cancer (HR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.55-2.08), while Black workers had significantly higher incidence of prostate cancer (HR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.05-1.40). CONCLUSION Cancer incidence in WTC workers generally reflects data from the NYS population, but some differences were identified that merit further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Malak Khalifeh
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - David G Goldfarb
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
- Fire Department of the City of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Rachel Zeig-Owens
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
- Fire Department of the City of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Andrew C Todd
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Moshe Z Shapiro
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Madeline Carwile
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Christopher R Dasaro
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jiehui Li
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, New York, USA
| | - Janette Yung
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, New York, USA
| | - Mark R Farfel
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, New York, USA
| | - Robert M Brackbill
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, New York, USA
| | - James E Cone
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, New York, USA
| | - Baozhen Qiao
- New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Cancer Epidemiology, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Maria J Schymura
- New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Cancer Epidemiology, Albany, New York, USA
| | - David J Prezant
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
- Fire Department of the City of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Charles Hall
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
- Fire Department of the City of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Paolo Boffetta
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
DeMarini DM, Warren SH, Brooks LR. Mutagenicity of the organic fraction of World Trade Center dust. ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS 2023; 64:16-25. [PMID: 36433931 PMCID: PMC9989947 DOI: 10.1002/em.22519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Most studies of the health effects and chemical characterization of the dust resulting from the catastrophic collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC) on September 11, 2001, have focused on the large inorganic fraction of the dust; however, chemical analyses have identified mutagens and carcinogens in the smaller organic fraction. Here, we determined the mutagenicity of the organic fraction of WTC dust in Salmonella. Only 0.74% of the mass of the particulate matter (PM) <53 μm in diameter was extractable organic matter (EOM). Because the EOM was 10 times more mutagenic in TA100 +S9 than in TA98 +S9 and was negative in TA98 -S9, we inferred, respectively, that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) played a role in the mutagenicity and not nitroarenes. In TA98 +S9, the mutagenic potency of the EOM (0.1 revertant/μg EOM) was within the range of EOMs from air and combustion emissions. However, the EOM-based mutagenic potency of the particles (0.0007 revertants/μg PM) was 1-2 orders of magnitude lower than values from a review of 50 combustion emissions and various air samples. We calculated that 37 PAHs analyzed previously in WTC EOM were 5.4% of the EOM mass and 0.04% of the PM mass; some air contained 0.3 μg WTC EOM/m3 (0.02 μg PAHs/m3 ). Populations exposed to WTC dust have elevated levels of prostate and thyroid cancer but not lung cancer. Our data support earlier estimates that PAH-associated cancer risk among this population, for example, PAH-associated lung cancer, was unlikely to be significantly elevated relative to background PAH exposures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David M. DeMarini
- Biomolecular and Computational Toxicology Division, Center for Computational Toxicology and ExposureOffice of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyResearch Triangle ParkNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Sarah H. Warren
- Biomolecular and Computational Toxicology Division, Center for Computational Toxicology and ExposureOffice of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyResearch Triangle ParkNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Lance R. Brooks
- Homeland Security and Materials Management Division, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency ResponseOffice of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyResearch Triangle ParkNorth CarolinaUSA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Boffetta P, Hall CB, Todd AC, Goldfarb DG, Schymura MJ, Li J, Cone JE, Zeig-Owens R. Cancer risk among World Trade Center rescue and recovery workers: A review. CA Cancer J Clin 2022; 72:308-314. [PMID: 35325473 DOI: 10.3322/caac.21723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Twenty years after the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks, the association between exposures present at the World Trade Center (WTC) site and the risk of several specific types of cancer has been reported among rescue and recovery workers. The authors' objective was to conduct an updated review of these data. Most studies have found elevated rates of both prostate and thyroid cancers compared with rates in the general population, and some have reported statistically significant differences for the rates of all cancers as well. Studies including a larger combined cohort of WTC-exposed rescue and recovery workers from 3 main cohorts have since replicated findings for these cancers, with additional years of follow-up. Among this combined cohort, although a lower-than-expected standardized incidence ratio for all cancers was observed, WTC exposure was also related to an increased risk of cutaneous melanoma and tonsil cancer. Importantly, another study found that WTC-exposed rescue and recovery workers who are enrolled in the federally funded medical monitoring and treatment program experienced improved survival post-cancer diagnosis compared with New York state patients with cancer. On the basis of these combined cohort studies, the full effect of WTC exposure on cancer risk is becoming clearer. Consequently, the authors believe that surveillance of those with WTC exposure should be continued, and in-depth analysis of epidemiologic, molecular, and clinical aspects of specific cancers in these workers should be pursued.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Boffetta
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Charles B Hall
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Andrew C Todd
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - David G Goldfarb
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, New York
- Fire Department of the City of New York, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Maria J Schymura
- Bureau of Cancer Epidemiology, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York
| | - Jiehui Li
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, New York
| | - James E Cone
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, New York
| | - Rachel Zeig-Owens
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, New York
- Fire Department of the City of New York, Brooklyn, New York
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Yu H, Tuminello S, Alpert N, van Gerwen M, Yoo S, Mulholland DJ, Aaronson SA, Donovan M, Oh WK, Gong Y, Wang L, Zhu J, Taioli E. Global DNA methylation of WTC prostate cancer tissues show signature differences compared to non-exposed cases. Carcinogenesis 2022; 43:528-537. [PMID: 35239955 PMCID: PMC9234756 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgac025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
There is increased incidence of prostate cancer (PC) among World Trade Center (WTC)-exposed responders and community members, with preliminary evidence suggestive of more aggressive disease. While previous research is supportive of differences in DNA methylation and gene expression as a consequence of WTC exposure, as measured in blood of healthy individuals, the epigenetics of WTC PC tissues has yet to be explored. Patients were recruited from the World Trade Center Health Program. Non-WTC PC samples were frequency matched on age, race/ethnicity and Gleason score. Bisulfite-treated DNA was extracted from tumor tissue blocks and used to assess global DNA methylation with the MethylationEPIC BeadChip. Differential and pathway enrichment analyses were conducted. RNA from the same tumor blocks was used for gene expression analysis to further support DNA methylation findings. Methylation data were generated for 28 samples (13 WTC and 15 non-WTC). Statistically significant differences in methylation were observed for 3,586 genes; on average WTC samples were statistically significantly more hypermethylated (P = 0.04131). Pathway enrichment analysis revealed hypermethylation in epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), hypoxia, mitotic spindle, TNFA signaling via NFKB, WNT signaling, and TGF beta signaling pathways in WTC compared to non-WTC samples. The androgen response, G2M and MYC target pathways were hypomethylated. These results correlated well with RNA gene expression. In conclusion, long-term epigenic changes associated with WTC dust exposure were observed in PC tissues. These occurred in genes of critical pathways, likely increasing prostate tumorigenesis potential. This warrants analysis of larger WTC groups and other cancer types.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haocheng Yu
- Sema4, a Mount Sinai venture, Stamford, CT, USA
| | - Stephanie Tuminello
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Population Health, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Naomi Alpert
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maaike van Gerwen
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - David J Mulholland
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stuart A Aaronson
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael Donovan
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - William K Oh
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yixuan Gong
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Li Wang
- Sema4, a Mount Sinai venture, Stamford, CT, USA
- Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomics Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jun Zhu
- Sema4, a Mount Sinai venture, Stamford, CT, USA
- Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomics Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Emanuela Taioli
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NYUSA
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Tuminello S, Zhang Y, Yang L, Durmus N, Snuderl M, Heguy A, Zeleniuch-Jacquotte A, Chen Y, Shao Y, Reibman J, Arslan AA. Global DNA Methylation Profiles in Peripheral Blood of WTC-Exposed Community Members with Breast Cancer. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095104. [PMID: 35564499 PMCID: PMC9105091 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer represents the most common cancer diagnosis among World Trade Center (WTC)-exposed community members, residents, and cleanup workers enrolled in the WTC Environmental Health Center (WTC EHC). The primary aims of this study were (1) to compare blood DNA methylation profiles of WTC-exposed community members with breast cancer and WTC-unexposed pre-diagnostic breast cancer blood samples, and (2) to compare the DNA methylation differences among the WTC EHC breast cancer cases and WTC-exposed cancer-free controls. Gene pathway enrichment analyses were further conducted. There were significant differences in DNA methylation between WTC-exposed breast cancer cases and unexposed prediagnostic breast cancer cases. The top differentially methylated genes were Intraflagellar Transport 74 (IFT74), WD repeat-containing protein 90 (WDR90), and Oncomodulin (OCM), which are commonly upregulated in tumors. Probes associated with established tumor suppressor genes (ATM, BRCA1, PALB2, and TP53) were hypermethylated among WTC-exposed breast cancer cases compared to the unexposed group. When comparing WTC EHC breast cancer cases vs. cancer-free controls, there appeared to be global hypomethylation among WTC-exposed breast cancer cases compared to exposed controls. Functional pathway analysis revealed enrichment of several gene pathways in WTC-exposed breast cancer cases including endocytosis, proteoglycans in cancer, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, axon guidance, focal adhesion, calcium signaling, cGMP-PKG signaling, mTOR, Hippo, and oxytocin signaling. The results suggest potential epigenetic links between WTC exposure and breast cancer in local community members enrolled in the WTC EHC program.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Tuminello
- Department of Population Health, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Y.Z.); (A.Z.-J.); (Y.C.); (Y.S.)
- Correspondence: (S.T.); (A.A.A.)
| | - Yian Zhang
- Department of Population Health, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Y.Z.); (A.Z.-J.); (Y.C.); (Y.S.)
| | - Lei Yang
- Foundation Medicine, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA;
| | - Nedim Durmus
- Department of Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA; (N.D.); (J.R.)
| | - Matija Snuderl
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA; (M.S.); (A.H.)
| | - Adriana Heguy
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA; (M.S.); (A.H.)
- NYU Langone’s Genome Technology Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Anne Zeleniuch-Jacquotte
- Department of Population Health, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Y.Z.); (A.Z.-J.); (Y.C.); (Y.S.)
- NYU Perlmutter Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Population Health, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Y.Z.); (A.Z.-J.); (Y.C.); (Y.S.)
- NYU Perlmutter Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Yongzhao Shao
- Department of Population Health, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Y.Z.); (A.Z.-J.); (Y.C.); (Y.S.)
- NYU Perlmutter Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Joan Reibman
- Department of Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA; (N.D.); (J.R.)
| | - Alan A. Arslan
- Department of Population Health, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Y.Z.); (A.Z.-J.); (Y.C.); (Y.S.)
- NYU Perlmutter Comprehensive Cancer Center, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Correspondence: (S.T.); (A.A.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Marchese S, Cancelmo L, Diab O, Cahn L, Aaronson C, Daskalakis NP, Schaffer J, Horn SR, Johnson JS, Schechter C, Desarnaud F, Bierer LM, Makotkine I, Flory JD, Crane M, Moline JM, Udasin IG, Harrison DJ, Roussos P, Charney DS, Koenen KC, Southwick SM, Yehuda R, Pietrzak RH, Huckins LM, Feder A. Altered gene expression and PTSD symptom dimensions in World Trade Center responders. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:2225-2246. [PMID: 35177824 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01457-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Despite experiencing a significant trauma, only a subset of World Trade Center (WTC) rescue and recovery workers developed posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Identification of biomarkers is critical to the development of targeted interventions for treating disaster responders and potentially preventing the development of PTSD in this population. Analysis of gene expression from these individuals can help in identifying biomarkers of PTSD. We established a well-phenotyped sample of 371 WTC responders, recruited from a longitudinal WTC responder cohort using stratified random sampling, by obtaining blood, self-reported and clinical interview data. Using bulk RNA-sequencing from whole blood, we examined the association between gene expression and WTC-related PTSD symptom severity on (i) highest lifetime Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) score, (ii) past-month CAPS score, and (iii) PTSD symptom dimensions using a 5-factor model of re-experiencing, avoidance, emotional numbing, dysphoric arousal and anxious arousal symptoms. We corrected for sex, age, genotype-derived principal components and surrogate variables. Finally, we performed a meta-analysis with existing PTSD studies (total N = 1016), using case/control status as the predictor and correcting for these variables. We identified 66 genes significantly associated with total highest lifetime CAPS score (FDR-corrected p < 0.05), and 31 genes associated with total past-month CAPS score. Our more granular analyses of PTSD symptom dimensions identified additional genes that did not reach statistical significance in our analyses with total CAPS scores. In particular, we identified 82 genes significantly associated with lifetime anxious arousal symptoms. Several genes significantly associated with multiple PTSD symptom dimensions and total lifetime CAPS score (SERPINA1, RPS6KA1, and STAT3) have been previously associated with PTSD. Geneset enrichment of these findings has identified pathways significant in metabolism, immune signaling, other psychiatric disorders, neurological signaling, and cellular structure. Our meta-analysis revealed 10 genes that reached genome-wide significance, all of which were downregulated in cases compared to controls (CIRBP, TMSB10, FCGRT, CLIC1, RPS6KB2, HNRNPUL1, ALDOA, NACA, ZNF429 and COPE). Additionally, cellular deconvolution highlighted an enrichment in CD4 T cells and eosinophils in responders with PTSD compared to controls. The distinction in significant genes between total lifetime CAPS score and the anxious arousal symptom dimension of PTSD highlights a potential biological difference in the mechanism underlying the heterogeneity of the PTSD phenotype. Future studies should be clear about methods used to analyze PTSD status, as phenotypes based on PTSD symptom dimensions may yield different gene sets than combined CAPS score analysis. Potential biomarkers implicated from our meta-analysis may help improve therapeutic target development for PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shelby Marchese
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Leo Cancelmo
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Olivia Diab
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Leah Cahn
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Cindy Aaronson
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Nikolaos P Daskalakis
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Jamie Schaffer
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Sarah R Horn
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Jessica S Johnson
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Clyde Schechter
- Department of Family and Social Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Frank Desarnaud
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Linda M Bierer
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Iouri Makotkine
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Janine D Flory
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Michael Crane
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jacqueline M Moline
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Epidemiology and Prevention, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Great Neck, NY, USA
| | - Iris G Udasin
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Denise J Harrison
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Panos Roussos
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Icahn Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, 14068, USA
| | - Dennis S Charney
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Karestan C Koenen
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit (PNGU), Boston, MA, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steven M Southwick
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rachel Yehuda
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Robert H Pietrzak
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Laura M Huckins
- Pamela Sklar Division of Psychiatric Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA. .,Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA. .,Icahn Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA. .,Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, 14068, USA. .,Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - Adriana Feder
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Elkoshi Z. Cancer and Autoimmune Diseases: A Tale of Two Immunological Opposites? Front Immunol 2022; 13:821598. [PMID: 35145524 PMCID: PMC8822211 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.821598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The present article compares, side-by-side, cancer and autoimmune diseases in terms of innate and adaptive immune cells involvement, MHC Class I and Class II expression, TGFβ effect, immune modulating drugs effect and the effect of reactive oxygen species. The change in the inflammatory immune reaction during the progress of cancer and the effect of this change on the comorbidity of autoimmune diseases and cancer are discussed. The similar inflammatory properties of autoimmune diseases and early cancer, and the contrasting inflammatory properties of autoimmune diseases and advanced cancer elucidate the increased incidence of many types of cancer in patients with pre-existing autoimmune diseases and the decreased cancer-specific mortality of these patients. Stage-dependent effects of reactive oxygen-species on tumor proliferation are an additional probable cause for these epidemiological observations. The relationship: {standardized incidence ratio (SIR)} > {cancer-specific hazard ratio (HR)} for cancer patients with a history of autoimmune diseases is substantiated and rationalized.
Collapse
|
11
|
Wang L, Xu Y, Zhang L, Kang K, Kobryn A, Portman K, Gordon RE, Pan PY, Taioli E, Aaronson SA, Chen SH, Mulholland DJ. World Trade Center dust exposure promotes cancer in PTEN-deficient mouse prostates. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 2:518-532. [PMID: 35911788 PMCID: PMC9336209 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-21-0111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
During the 9/11 attacks individuals were exposed to World Trade Center (WTC) dust which contained a complex mixture of carcinogens. Epidemiological studies have revealed the increased incidence of prostate and thyroid cancer in WTC survivors and responders. While reports have shown that WTC-dust associates with the increased prevalence of inflammatory related disorders, studies to date have not determined whether this exposure impacts cancer progression. In this study, we have used genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models with prostate specific deletion of the PTEN tumor suppressor to study the impact of WTC-dust exposure on deposition of dust particles, inflammation, and cancer progression. In normal C57/BL6 mice, dust exposure increased cellular expression of inflammatory genes with highest levels in the lung and peripheral blood. In normal and tumor bearing GEM mice, increased immune cell infiltration to the lungs was observed. Pathological evaluation of mice at different time points showed that WTC-dust exposure promoted PI3K-AKT activation, increased epithelial proliferation and acinar invasion in prostates with heterozygous and homozygous Pten loss. Using autochthonous and transplant GEM models of prostate cancer we demonstrated that dust exposure caused reduced survival as compared to control cohorts. Finally, we used imaging mass cytometry (IMC) to detect elevated immune cell infiltration and cellular expression of inflammatory markers in prostate tumors isolated from human WTC survivors. Collectively, our study shows that chronic inflammation, induced by WTC dust exposure, promotes more aggressive cancer in genetically predisposed prostates and potentially in patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wang
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Yitian Xu
- Center for Immunotherapy Research, Cancer Center of Excellence, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Licheng Zhang
- Center for Immunotherapy Research, Cancer Center of Excellence, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Kyeongah Kang
- Center for Immunotherapy Research, Cancer Center of Excellence, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Andriy Kobryn
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Kensey Portman
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Ronald E Gordon
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Ping-Ying Pan
- Center for Immunotherapy Research, Cancer Center of Excellence, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Emanuela Taioli
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
- Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, New York
| | - Stuart A Aaronson
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
- Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, New York
| | - Shu-Hsia Chen
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
- Center for Immunotherapy Research, Cancer Center of Excellence, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - David J Mulholland
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
- Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Chiao JW. What causes prostate cancer-learning from a tragedy. Carcinogenesis 2021; 42:1221-1222. [PMID: 34431987 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgab078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jen Wei Chiao
- Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Gerwen M, Cerutti JM, Rapp J, Genden E, Riggins GJ, Taioli E. Post-9/11 excess risk of thyroid cancer: Surveillance or exposure? Am J Ind Med 2021; 64:881-884. [PMID: 34157150 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
An excess risk of thyroid cancer has been reported in different World Trade Center (WTC)-dust exposed cohorts. Increased surveillance of these cohorts has been suggested as a potential explanation of this reported excess thyroid cancer risk leading to an increased diagnosis of earlier-stage thyroid cancers. However, the uncertainty to what extent surveillance or physician bias may be contributing to the reported incidence of thyroid cancer in WTC-dust exposed populations remains, highlighting the need to investigate a potential causal link between WTC dust exposure and thyroid cancer. Future studies are therefore indicated to investigate potential consequences of WTC dust exposure on the thyroid gland. Studies of the heavily exposed populations offer the possibility to better understand the mechanisms behind the exposure to a variety of environmental contaminants, and may provide useful insights into exposures harmful to the thyroid. These can be used in risk stratification when implementing screening in high-risk populations and may inform shared decision-making regarding the extent of thyroid cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maaike Gerwen
- Department of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck Surgery Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York New York USA
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York New York USA
| | - Janete M. Cerutti
- Division of Genetics Universidade Federal de São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
| | - Joseph Rapp
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York New York USA
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York New York USA
| | - Eric Genden
- Department of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck Surgery Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York New York USA
| | - Gregory J. Riggins
- Department of Neurosurgery Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore Maryland USA
| | - Emanuela Taioli
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York New York USA
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York New York USA
- Tisch Cancer Institute Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York New York USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Goldfarb DG, Zeig-Owens R, Kristjansson D, Li J, Brackbill RM, Farfel MR, Cone JE, Yung J, Kahn AR, Qiao B, Schymura MJ, Webber MP, Dasaro CR, Shapiro M, Todd AC, Prezant DJ, Boffetta P, Hall CB. Temporal association of prostate cancer incidence with World Trade Center rescue/recovery work. Occup Environ Med 2021; 78:699-706. [PMID: 34507966 PMCID: PMC8458078 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2021-107405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Trade Center (WTC) attacks on 11 September 2001 created a hazardous environment with known and suspected carcinogens. Previous studies have identified an increased risk of prostate cancer in responder cohorts compared with the general male population. OBJECTIVES To estimate the length of time to prostate cancer among WTC rescue/recovery workers by determining specific time periods during which the risk was significantly elevated. METHODS Person-time accruals began 6 months after enrolment into a WTC cohort and ended at death or 12/31/2015. Cancer data were obtained through linkages with 13 state cancer registries. New York State was the comparison population. We used Poisson regression to estimate hazard ratios and 95% CIs; change points in rate ratios were estimated using profile likelihood. RESULTS The analytic cohort included 54 394 male rescue/recovery workers. We observed 1120 incident prostate cancer cases. During 2002-2006, no association with WTC exposure was detected. Beginning in 2007, a 24% increased risk (HR: 1.24, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.32) was observed among WTC rescue/recovery workers when compared with New York State. Comparing those who arrived earliest at the disaster site on the morning of 11 September 2001 or any time on 12 September 2001 to those who first arrived later, we observed a positive, monotonic, dose-response association in the early (2002-2006) and late (2007-2015) periods. CONCLUSIONS Risk of prostate cancer was significantly elevated beginning in 2007 in the WTC combined rescue/recovery cohort. While unique exposures at the disaster site might have contributed to the observed effect, screening practices including routine prostate specific antigen screening cannot be discounted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David G Goldfarb
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
- Bureau of Health Services, World Trade Center Health Program, Fire Department of the City of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Rachel Zeig-Owens
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
- Bureau of Health Services, World Trade Center Health Program, Fire Department of the City of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Division of Epidemiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Dana Kristjansson
- Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Center of Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jiehui Li
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, New York, USA
| | - Robert M Brackbill
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mark R Farfel
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, New York, USA
| | - James E Cone
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, New York, USA
| | - Janette Yung
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, New York, USA
| | - Amy R Kahn
- Bureau of Cancer Epidemiology, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Baozhen Qiao
- Bureau of Cancer Epidemiology, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Maria J Schymura
- Bureau of Cancer Epidemiology, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Mayris P Webber
- Bureau of Health Services, World Trade Center Health Program, Fire Department of the City of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Division of Epidemiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Division of Epidemiology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Christopher R Dasaro
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Moshe Shapiro
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Andrew C Todd
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - David J Prezant
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
- Bureau of Health Services, World Trade Center Health Program, Fire Department of the City of New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Division of Epidemiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Paolo Boffetta
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
| | - Charles B Hall
- Department of Epidemiology & Population Health, Division of Biostatistics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Health Trends among 9/11 Responders from 2011-2021: A Review of World Trade Center Health Program Statistics. Prehosp Disaster Med 2021; 36:621-626. [PMID: 34550060 DOI: 10.1017/s1049023x21000881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In a single day, the September 11, 2001 US terrorist attacks (9/11) killed nearly 3,000 people, including 412 first responders. More than 91,000 responders were exposed to a range of hazards during the recovery and clean-up operation that followed. Various health programs track the on-going health effects of 9/11, including the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program (WTCHP). The objective of this research was to review WTCHP statistics reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to analyze health trends among enrolled responders as the 20-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks approaches. METHODS The WTCHP statistics reported by the CDC were analyzed to identify health trends among enrolled responders from 2011 through 2021. Statistics for non-responders were excluded. RESULTS A total of 80,745 responders were enrolled in the WTCHP as of March 2021: 62,773 were classified as general responders; 17,023 were Fire Department of New York (FDNY) responders; and 989 were Pentagon and Shanksville responders. Of the total responders in the program, 3,439 are now deceased. Just under 40% of responders with certified health issues were aged 45-64 and 83% were male. The top three certified conditions among enrolled responders were: aerodigestive disorders; cancer; and mental ill health. The top ten certified cancers have remained the same over the last five years, however, leukemia has now overtaken colon and bladder cancer as the 20-year anniversary approaches. Compared to the general population, 9/11 first responders had a higher rate of all cancers combined, as well as higher rates of prostate cancer, thyroid cancer, and leukemia. DISCUSSION Trends in these program statistics should be viewed with some caution. While certain illnesses have been linked with exposure to the WTC site, differences in age, sex, ethnicity, smoking status, and other factors between exposed and unexposed groups should also be considered. Increased rates of some illnesses among this cohort may be associated with heightened surveillance rather than an actual increase in disease. Still, cancer in general, as well as lung disease, heart disease, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), seem to be increasing among 9/11 responders, even now close to 20 years later. CONCLUSION Responders should continue to avail themselves of the health care and monitoring offered through programs like the WTCHP.
Collapse
|
16
|
World Trade Center Health Program: First Decade of Research. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17197290. [PMID: 33036199 PMCID: PMC7579473 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17197290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001 placed nearly a half million people at increased risk of adverse health. Health effects research began shortly after and continues today, now mostly as a coordinated effort under the federally mandated World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program (WTCHP). Established in 2011, the WTCHP provides medical monitoring and treatment of covered health conditions for responders and survivors and maintains a research program aimed to improve the care and well-being of the affected population. By 2020, funds in excess of USD 127 M had been awarded for health effects research. This review describes research findings and provides an overview of the WTCHP and its future directions. The literature was systematically searched for relevant articles published from 11 September 2001 through 30 June 2020. Synthesis was limited to broad categories of mental health, cancer, respiratory disease, vulnerable populations, and emerging conditions. In total, 944 WTC articles were published, including peer-reviewed articles funded by the WTCHP (n = 291) and other sources. Research has focused on characterizing the burden and etiology of WTC-related health conditions. As the program moves forward, translational research that directly enhances the care of individuals with chronic mental and physical health conditions is needed.
Collapse
|
17
|
Shapiro MZ, Wallenstein SR, Dasaro CR, Lucchini RG, Sacks HS, Teitelbaum SL, Thanik ES, Crane MA, Harrison DJ, Luft BJ, Moline JM, Udasin IG, Todd AC. Cancer in General Responders Participating in World Trade Center Health Programs, 2003-2013. JNCI Cancer Spectr 2019; 4:pkz090. [PMID: 32337498 PMCID: PMC7050150 DOI: 10.1093/jncics/pkz090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Following the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC), thousands of workers were exposed to an array of toxins known to cause adverse health effects, including cancer. This study evaluates cancer incidence in the WTC Health Program General Responder Cohort occurring within 12 years post exposure. Methods The study population consisted of 28 729 members of the General Responder Cohort enrolled from cohort inception, July 2002 to December 31, 2013. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated with cancer case inclusion and follow-up starting post September 11, 2001 (unrestricted) and, alternatively, to account for selection bias, with case inclusion and follow-up starting 6 months after enrollment in the WTC Health Program (restricted). Case ascertainment was based on linkage with six state cancer registries. Under the restricted criterion, hazard ratios were estimated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models for all cancer sites combined and for prostate cancer. Results Restricted analyses identified 1072 cancers in 999 responders, with elevations in cancer incidence for all cancer sites combined (SIR = 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02 to 1.16), prostate cancer (SIR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.11 to 1.40), thyroid cancer (SIR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.71 to 2.75), and leukemia (SIR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.92). Cancer incidence was not associated with any WTC exposure index (composite or individual) for all cancer sites combined or for prostate cancer. Conclusion Our analyses show statistically significant elevations in cancer incidence for all cancer sites combined and for prostate and thyroid cancers and leukemia. Multivariable analyses show no association with magnitude or type of exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moshe Z Shapiro
- World Trade Center Health Program General Responder Data Center, Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Sylvan R Wallenstein
- World Trade Center Health Program General Responder Data Center, Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Christopher R Dasaro
- World Trade Center Health Program General Responder Data Center, Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Roberto G Lucchini
- World Trade Center Health Program General Responder Data Center, Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Henry S Sacks
- World Trade Center Health Program General Responder Data Center, Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Susan L Teitelbaum
- World Trade Center Health Program General Responder Data Center, Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Erin S Thanik
- World Trade Center Health Program General Responder Data Center, Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Michael A Crane
- World Trade Center Health Program Clinical Center of Excellence at Mount Sinai, Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Denise J Harrison
- World Trade Center Health Program Clinical Center of Excellence, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Benjamin J Luft
- World Trade Center Health Program Clinical Center of Excellence, Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, NY
| | - Jacqueline M Moline
- World Trade Center Health Program Clinical Center of Excellence, Department of Occupational Medicine, Epidemiology and Prevention, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY
| | - Iris G Udasin
- World Trade Center Health Program Clinical Center of Excellence, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center, Piscataway, NJ
| | - Andrew C Todd
- World Trade Center Health Program General Responder Data Center, Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Lieberman-Cribbin W, Tuminello S, Gillezeau C, van Gerwen M, Brody R, Mulholland DJ, Horton L, Sisco M, Prophete C, Zelikoff J, Lee HW, Park SH, Chen LC, Cohen MD, Taioli E. Complementary biobank of rodent tissue samples to study the effect of World Trade Center exposure on cancer development. J Transl Med 2019; 17:342. [PMID: 31601237 PMCID: PMC6788109 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-019-2089-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
World Trade Center (WTC) responders were exposed to mixture of dust, smoke, chemicals and carcinogens. New York University (NYU) and Mount Sinai have recreated WTC exposure in rodents to observe the resulting systemic and local biological responses. These experiments aid in the interpretation of epidemiological observations and are useful for understanding the carcinogenesis process in the exposed human WTC cohort. Here we describe the implementation of a tissue bank system for the rodents experimentally exposed to WTC dust. NYU samples were experimentally exposed to WTC dust via intratracheal inhalation that mimicked conditions in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. Tissue from Mount Sinai was derived from genetically modified mice exposed to WTC dust via nasal instillation. All processed tissues include annotations of the experimental design, WTC dust concentration/dose, exposure route and duration, genetic background of the rodent, and method of tissue isolation/storage. A biobank of tissue from rodents exposed to WTC dust has been compiled representing an important resource for the scientific community. The biobank remains available as a scientific resource for future research through established mechanisms for samples request and utilization. Studies using the WTC tissue bank would benefit from confirming their findings in corresponding tissues from organs of animals experimentally exposed to WTC dust. Studies on rodent tissues will advance the understanding of the biology of the tumors developed by WTC responders and ultimately impact the modalities of treatment, and the probability of success and survival of WTC cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wil Lieberman-Cribbin
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology and Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1133, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Stephanie Tuminello
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology and Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1133, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Christina Gillezeau
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology and Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1133, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Maaike van Gerwen
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology and Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1133, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Rachel Brody
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - David J Mulholland
- Department of Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lori Horton
- Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University, Tuxedo Park, NY, USA
| | - Maureen Sisco
- Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University, Tuxedo Park, NY, USA
| | - Colette Prophete
- Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University, Tuxedo Park, NY, USA
| | - Judith Zelikoff
- Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University, Tuxedo Park, NY, USA
| | - Hyun-Wook Lee
- Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University, Tuxedo Park, NY, USA
| | - Sung-Hyun Park
- Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University, Tuxedo Park, NY, USA
| | - Lung-Chi Chen
- Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University, Tuxedo Park, NY, USA
| | - Mitchell D Cohen
- Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University, Tuxedo Park, NY, USA
| | - Emanuela Taioli
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology and Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1133, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Duan Z, Miller HD, Fu X, Ge D, Jin B, Moustafa AA, Lan R, Zhang K, Chen Z, You Z. Th17 cells promote tumor growth in an immunocompetent orthotopic mouse model of prostate cancer. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL UROLOGY 2019; 7:249-261. [PMID: 31511831 PMCID: PMC6734037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-17 (IL-17) has been demonstrated to promote development of a variety of cancers including prostate cancer in genetically modified mouse models. IL-17 is the main product secreted by T helper 17 (Th17) cells. A recent study has shown that Th17 cells and related genes are upregulated in human prostate cancers. However, there is no direct experimental evidence to demonstrate Th17's role in prostate cancer. In the present study, we co-implanted mouse prostate cancer MPC3-luc cells with Th17-polarized mouse splenocytes in the prostate of immunocompetent C57BL/6J male mice. We found that Th17-polarized splenocytes promoted orthotopic allograft prostate tumor growth compared to the control splenocytes. The numbers of IL-17-positive lymphocytes and macrophages were higher in the prostate tumors grown from co-implantation of MPC3-luc cells and Th17-polarized splenocytes, compared to the prostate tumors grown from co-implantation of MPC3-luc cells and control splenocytes. Our findings provide the first direct experimental evidence that Th17 cells may promote prostate cancer growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhenling Duan
- Department of Structural & Cellular Biology, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LA, USA
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical UniversityKunming, China
| | - Haiyan D Miller
- Department of Structural & Cellular Biology, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Xiaowei Fu
- Department of Structural & Cellular Biology, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LA, USA
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Shaanxi University of Chinese MedicineXi’an, China
| | - Dongxia Ge
- Department of Structural & Cellular Biology, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Ben Jin
- Department of Structural & Cellular Biology, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Ahmed A Moustafa
- Department of Structural & Cellular Biology, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Ruoxin Lan
- Department of Structural & Cellular Biology, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Computer Science and Biostatistics Facility of RCMI Cancer Research Center, Xavier University of LouisianaNew Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Zhenbang Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical CollegeNashville, TN, USA
| | - Zongbing You
- Department of Structural & Cellular Biology, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LA, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LA, USA
- Tulane Cancer Center and Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LA, USA
- Tulane Center for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LA, USA
- Tulane Center for Aging, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LA, USA
- Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care SystemNew Orleans, LA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Correction: Prostate Cancer in World Trade Center Responders Demonstrates Evidence of an Inflammatory Cascade. Mol Cancer Res 2019; 17:1774. [DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-19-0641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|