Serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants and colorectal cancer risk: A case-cohort study within Korean National Cancer Center Community (KNCCC) cohort

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Background & aimsRecent prospective cohort studies have suggested that circulating persistent organic pollutants (POPs) may be associated with the development of cancers. We investigated the association between pre-diagnostic serum concentrations of POPs and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. MethodsA case-cohort study within a community-based prospective cohort was performed, including 104 CRC cases and 235 subcohort participants. Serum concentrations of POPs were measured by high resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used. ResultsThe association between serum concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCs) and CRC risk was significant (cis-heptachlor epoxide: 3rd tercile [HR (95% CI): 2.76 (1.25–6.07); trans-nonachlor: 2nd tercile [HR (95% CI): 3.90 (1.56–9.75)], 3rd tercile [HR (95% CI): 4.86 (1.95–12.16)]); p,p’-DDD: 2nd tercile [HR (95% CI): 6.02 (2.05–17.70)], 3rd tercile [HR (95% CI): 7.43 (2.42–22.84)]). Certain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) congeners were significantly associated with CRC risk (PCB-105: 3rd tercile HR [95% CI]: 3.15 [1.38–7.19], PCB-118: 3rd tercile HR [95% CI]: 2.68 [1.22–5.92]; PCB-138: 2nd tercile [HR (95% CI): 2.51 (1.19–5.28)], 3rd tercile [HR (95% CI): 3.27 (1.50–7.12)]; PCB-153: 2nd tercile [HR (95% CI): 3.93 (1.81–8.54)], 3rd tercile [HR (95% CI): 5.02 (2.09–12.07)]; PCB-156: 2nd tercile [HR (95% CI): 2.61 (1.21–5.59)], 3rd tercile [HR (95% CI): 4.07 (1.73–9.61)]; PCB-180: 2nd tercile [HR (95% CI): 2.58 (1.15–5.78)], 3rd tercile [HR (95% CI): 4.01 (1.68–9.59)]).results ConclusionsThis study suggests that serum concentrations of POPs could increase the CRC risk in the general population.