Increased Peripheral Blood DNA Damage and Elevated Serum Levels of Melanoma Inhibitory Activity Protein: Clues to Excess Skin Cancer Risk in Airline Pilots?

Abstract

Background and objectiveThe risk of malignant melanoma (MM) and other forms of skin cancer appears to be higher in airline pilots (APs), potentially due to their exposure to ionizing and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. We explored the possibility of increased peripheral blood DNA damage and elevated serum levels of the melanoma inhibitory activity (MIA) protein -a serological marker for MM known to be stimulated by UV radiation -in this professional group. MethodsThis was a case-control study involving 40 male APs, each of whom was age-and tenure-matched (≥5 years of service) with 40 male office workers (OWs). We assessed DNA damage in the two professional groups by performing comet and micronucleus (MN) assays on peripheral blood. Serum levels of MIA protein were quantified using an immunoassay. ResultsThe comet tail lengths and the frequency of MN were significantly higher in APs (4.57 ± 0.79 µm and 2.05 ± 0.26 per 1000 cells, respectively) than in OWs (3.81 ± 0.60 µm and 1.76 ± 0.31 per 1000 cells, respectively, both p<0.001). Furthermore, serum MIA levels were also significantly higher in APs (7.45 ± 0.95 ng/mL) than in OWs (5.78 ± 0.54 ng/mL, p<0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between comet tail lengths in APs and their serum MIA concentrations (r=0.68, p<0.01). ConclusionsThe increased burden of DNA damage and elevated serum MIA levels in APs may offer an explanation for their higher susceptibility to MM and other types of skin cancers.

Occupational Health Challenges for Aviation Workers Amid the Changing Climate: A Narrative Review

“…Airline pilots may be exposed to increased levels of UV-A radiation (wavelength: 315-400 nm) through airplane windshields during flight [17], and one study found that the UV exposure during a 56.6-min flight at 30,000 feet was equivalent to 20-30 min in a tanning bed [18]. Although some authors were unable to detect UV-A or UV-B radiation (wavelength: 280-315 nm) in airplane cabins or cockpits [19], there is increasing evidence that pilots carry genomic signatures consistent with UV-induced DNA damage [20,21]. This observation is further strengthened by occupational health studies showing that this professional category is at increased risk of UV-related disorders, including skin cancer [22,23], nuclear cataract [24], and dry eye disease [25].…”