Comprehensive Analysis of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydrogenase (ALAD) Variants and Renal Cell Carcinoma Risk among Individuals Exposed to Lead
2011

Lead Exposure and Kidney Cancer Risk Related to ALAD Variants

Sample size: 2285 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): van Bemmel Dana M., Boffetta Paolo, Liao Linda M., Berndt Sonja I., Menashe Idan, Yeager Meredith, Chanock Stephen, Karami Sara, Zaridze David, Matteev Vsevolod, Janout Vladimir, Kollarova Hellena, Bencko Vladimir, Navratilova Marie, Szeszenia-Dabrowska Neonilia, Mates Dana, Slamova Alena, Rothman Nathaniel, Han Summer S., Rosenberg Philip S., Brennan Paul, Chow Wong-Ho, Moore Lee E.

Primary Institution: National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America

Hypothesis

Common genetic variation in ALAD may alter lead exposure and be associated with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) risk.

Conclusion

A common genetic variation in ALAD may alter the risk of RCC overall, and among individuals occupationally exposed to lead.

Supporting Evidence

  • The study found an increased risk of RCC among participants exposed to lead.
  • Genetic variants in ALAD were associated with altered RCC risk.
  • The odds ratio for the ALAD variant rs8177796CT/TT was 1.35 compared to the major allele.
  • Joint effects of lead exposure and ALAD variants suggested increased RCC risk.
  • No significant modification in RCC risk was observed for the functional variant rs1800435.

Takeaway

This study found that certain genetic changes can increase the risk of kidney cancer in people who have been exposed to lead.

Methodology

A case-control study was conducted with 987 renal cancer cases and 1298 controls, assessing genetic variants and lead exposure through questionnaires.

Potential Biases

Potential selection bias due to the nature of hospital-based controls and possible recall bias in reporting lead exposure.

Limitations

The study may not represent the general population due to its hospital-based design and reliance on retrospective exposure assessment.

Participant Demographics

The study population was predominantly Caucasian, mostly male, and aged between 55-74 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.002

Confidence Interval

95%CI 1.05–1.73

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0020432

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