Body mass index, body shape, and risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A population‐based case–control study in Southern China

Abstract

Whether the association between body size or shape and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) risk exists or varies by age‐specific body size indicators is unclear. In a population‐based case–control study conducted in Southern China between 2010 and 2014, self‐reported height, weight, and body shape at age 20 and 10 years before interview were collected from 2448 histopathologically confirmed NPC cases and 2534 population‐based controls. Body mass index (BMI) was categorized according to the World Health Organization guidelines for Asian populations: underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5‐22.9 kg/m2), overweight (23.0‐27.4 kg/m2), and obese (≥27.5 kg/m2). Multivariate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using logistic regression. Furthermore, restricted cubic spline analysis was employed to examine nonlinear effects of BMI and body shape as continuous covariates. Underweight vs normal weight at age 20 years was associated with a 22% decreased NPC risk (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67, 0.90), whereas obesity was not significantly associated with NPC risk. Associations with BMI 10 years before the interview were similar. Having the leanest body shape at age 20 years, compared with the mode was not significantly associated with NPC risk (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.62, 1.16), but having a larger body shape was associated with an elevated risk (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.03, 1.52). Increasing BMI revealed positive trends with NPC risk. Despite some indication of significant findings, evidence for a strong association between BMI or body shape and NPC risk is still limited.

Adiponectin Suppresses Tumor Growth of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Through Activating AMPK Signaling Pathway

“…The current study did not stratify the correlation against body weight owing to the lack of such data in both cohorts. However, previous studies have largely ruled out the association of body weight with risk of NPC [8][9][10]. Thus, we do not believe that this issue will change the outcomes of this analysis.…”

“…Although Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is the most well-characterized risk factor [3][4][5], other potential genetic and environmental factors have also been suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of this malignancy [6,7]. Obesity has been suggested by some studies as a risk factor of NPC for decades, but the ndings from different groups have been inconsistent [8][9][10]. Recent published studies have proposed that altered levels of adipose-derived adipokines, such as adiponectin, leptin, and resistin, may have contributed to the development of various malignancies [11,12].…”

The Role of Genetic Pathways in the Development of Chemoradiation Resistance in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) Patients

“…The geographical difference is attributed to different lifestyle and environmental risk factors. The incidence in males is slightly predominant with some familial inheritance [4]. The patient who had a positive family history of first-degree relatives has 4-fold increased NPC risks [5].…”

Adiponectin suppresses tumor growth of nasopharyngeal carcinoma through activating AMPK signaling pathway

“…Although Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is the most well-characterized risk factor [ 3 – 5 ], other potential genetic and environmental factors have also been suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of this malignancy [ 6 , 7 ]. Obesity has been suggested by some studies as a risk factor of NPC for decades, but the findings from different groups have been inconsistent [ 8 – 10 ]. Recent published studies have proposed that altered levels of adipose-derived adipokines, such as adiponectin, leptin, and resistin, may have contributed to the development of various malignancies [ 11 , 12 ].…”