Sporadic Retinoblastoma and Parental Smoking and Alcohol Consumption before and after Conception: A Report from the Children's Oncology Group.

Saeedeh Azary,Greta R Bunin,Arupa Ganguly,Beate Ritz,Andrew S Park,Julia E Heck,Jeffrey S Chang,Christina Lombardi

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0151728

Saeedeh Azary, Greta R Bunin + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0151728

Copy DOI

Abstract

BackgroundRetinoblastoma is the most frequent tumor of the eye in children and very little is known about the etiology of non-familial (sporadic) retinoblastoma. In this study we examined whether parental tobacco smoking or alcohol consumption (pre- or post-conception) contribute to the two phenotypes (bilateral or unilateral) of sporadic retinoblastoma.MethodsTwo large multicenter case-control studies identified 488 cases through eye referral centers in the United States and Canada or through the Children’s Oncology Group. Controls (n = 424) were selected from among friends and relatives of cases and matched by age. Risk factor information was obtained via telephone interview. We employed multivariable logistic regression to estimate the effects of parental tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption on retinoblastoma.FindingsMaternal smoking before and during pregnancy contributed to unilateral retinoblastoma risk in the child: year before pregnancy conditional Odds Ratio (OR), 8.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5–51, and unconditional OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.3–4.7; month before or during pregnancy, conditional OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 0.5–20.8, and unconditional OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.1–7.0. No association was found for maternal or paternal alcohol consumption.ConclusionThe results of this study indicate that maternal active smoking during pregnancy may be a risk factor for sporadic retinoblastoma. Our study supports a role for tobacco exposures in embryonal tumors.

Highlights

Retinoblastoma is a rare malignancy, usually diagnosed in early childhood, which originates in the retinal layer of the eye and results from a loss or mutation of both alleles of the RB1 tumor suppressor gene in a retinal progenitor cell during embryonal development [1,2]
In this study we examined whether parental tobacco smoking or alcohol consumption contribute to the two phenotypes of sporadic retinoblastoma
The results of this study indicate that maternal active smoking during pregnancy may be a risk factor for sporadic retinoblastoma

Summary

Introduction

Retinoblastoma is a rare malignancy, usually diagnosed in early childhood, which originates in the retinal layer of the eye and results from a loss or mutation of both alleles of the RB1 tumor suppressor gene in a retinal progenitor cell during embryonal development [1,2]. This retinal tumor causes vision loss and can become life threatening if not treated [3,4]. In this study we examined whether parental tobacco smoking or alcohol consumption (pre- or post-conception) contribute to the two phenotypes (bilateral or unilateral) of sporadic retinoblastoma.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion