Sassano M, Collatuzzo G, Teglia F, Boffetta P. Occupational exposure to diesel exhausts and liver and pancreatic cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Eur J Epidemiol 2024;
39:241-255. [PMID:
38289519 PMCID:
PMC10995068 DOI:
10.1007/s10654-024-01099-4]
[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: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Diesel exhaust (DE) is human carcinogen with sufficient evidence only for lung cancer. Systematic evidence on other cancer types is scarce, thus we aimed to systematically review current literature on the association between occupational DE exposure and risk of liver and pancreatic cancers.
METHODS
We performed a systematic literature review to identify cohort studies on occupational DE exposure and risk of cancers other than lung. We computed pooled relative risks (RRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for liver and pancreatic cancers using DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model.
RESULTS
Fifteen studies reporting results on pancreatic cancer and fourteen on liver cancer were included. We found a weakly increased risk of pancreatic cancer in workers exposed to DE (RR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.14), mainly driven by results on incidence (RR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.22). As for liver cancer, results were suggestive of a positive association (RR: 1.09; 95% CI: 0.99, 1.19), although a significant estimate was present in studies published before 2000 (RR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.82). We found no compelling evidence of publication bias.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest an association between occupational DE exposure and liver and pancreatic cancer. Further studies with detailed exposure assessment, environmental monitoring data, and appropriate control for confounders are warranted.
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