Agricultural pesticide use and risk of t(14;18)-defined subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Abstract

Pesticides have been specifically associated with the t(14;18)(q32;q21) chromosomal translocation. To investigate whether the association between pesticides and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) differs for molecular subtypes of NHL defined by t(14; 18) status, we obtained 175 tumor blocks from case subjects in a population-based case-control study conducted in Nebraska between 1983 and 1986. The t(14;18) was determined by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization in 172 of 175 tumor blocks. We compared exposures to insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fumigants in 65 t(14;18)-positive and 107 t(14;18)-negative case subjects with those among 1432 control subjects. Multivariate polytomous logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Compared with farmers who never used pesticides, the risk of t(14;18)-positive NHL was significantly elevated among farmers who used animal insecticides (OR ‫؍‬ 2.6; 95% CI, 1.0-6.9), crop insecticides (OR ‫؍‬ 3.0; 95% CI, 1.1-8.2), herbicides (OR ‫؍‬ 2.9; 95% CI, 1.1-7.9), and fumigants (OR ‫؍‬ 5.0; 95% CI, 1.7-14.5). None of these pesticides were associated with t(14;18)-negative NHL.

The non-Hodgkin lymphomas: A review of the epidemiologic literature

“…In contrast, Chiu et al 52 analyzed pooled data from 3 case-control studies, and found little evidence of heterogeneity in the association of agricultural exposures with NHL risk between those who did and did not have a family history of cancer. Chang et al 475 observed that a family history of hematopoietic cancer did not modify the association of NHL risk with UV radiation exposure, alcohol consumption, smoking status, dietary intake of red meat, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, or coffee or use of certain medications.…”

“…Zhu et al 479 observed a significantly elevated risk of NHL in men who reported a family history of lymphoma (OR 5 3.0, 95% CI: 1.7-5.2) and hematologic malignancies (OR 5 2.0, 95% CI: 1.2-3.4). Chiu et al 52 reported increased risks of NHL in men with a family history of hematopoietic (OR 5 2.7, 95% CI: 1.9-3.7) and nonhematopoietic (OR 5 1.5, 95% CI: 1.3-1.8) cancer among first-degree relatives. Cases who were translocation t(14;18)-negative were significantly more likely to report a first-degree family history of hemolymphatic cancer than controls (OR 5 2.4, 95% CI: 1.4-3.9) in a population-based case-control study of participants enrolled in the FARM study.…”

“…72 In a mortality study in northern Italy of rice growers, 4 cases of NHL were observed (1.18 expected) among growers with 20 or more years of exposure. 70 Chiu et al, 52 using pooled data based on direct interviews from 3 Midwestern case-control studies, 81,82 reported odds ratios between 1.0 and 1.1 for farmers who used herbicides, fungicides, crop insecticides, or animal insecticides. Moreover, farmers who used pesticides and also had a positive family history of cancer or hematopoietic cancer were not at a significantly elevated risk of NHL, as compared to non-farmers who had similar family histories.…”

Comprehensive Assessment of Associations between ERCC2 Lys751Gln/Asp312Asn Polymorphisms and Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

“…Environmental exposure to some chemicals, ultraviolet light, dietary factors, family history, immune dysfunction, immune stimulation, and viral infection, have all been associated with the risk for NHL, but the results remain inconsistent. In addition to exogenous exposures, individual genetic susceptibility may be important in the pathogenesis of NHL (Chiu et al, 2004;Hartge, 2004;Grulich et al, 2007). Although this would not explain the rising incidence of NHL per se, genetic variants could interact with environmental exposures and thereby contribute to lymphomagenesis.…”

Family history of haematopoietic malignancies and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma risk in the California Teachers Study

“…Among 121 216 women participating in the prospective California Teachers Study, NHL risk varied by type of haematopoietic malignancy and gender of the relative. Evidence from epidemiologic studies shows that the risk of nonHodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is increased by approximately twofold for individuals with a first-degree family history (parent, sibling or child) of haematopoietic malignancy (Pottern et al, 1991;Zhu et al, 1998;Chiu et al, 2004;Altieri et al, 2005;Chang et al, 2005;Goldin et al, 2005;Wang et al, 2007). However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood.…”