The Correlation between Rates of Cancer and Autism: An Exploratory Ecological Investigation

Hung-Teh Kao,Karl T Kelsey,Barbara Porton,David F Gruber,Stephen L Buka,Andreas Bergmann

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0009372

Hung-Teh Kao, Karl T Kelsey + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0009372

Copy DOI

Abstract

BackgroundAutism is associated with high rates of genomic aberrations, including chromosomal rearrangements and de novo copy-number variations. These observations are reminiscent of cancer, a disease where genomic rearrangements also play a role. We undertook a correlative epidemiological study to explore the possibility that shared risk factors might exist for autism and specific types of cancer.Methodology/Principal FindingsTo determine if significant correlations exist between the prevalence of autism and the incidence of cancer, we obtained and analyzed state-wide data reported by age and gender throughout the United States. Autism data were obtained from the U.S. Department of Education via the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (2000–2007, reported annually by age group) and cancer incidence data were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (1999–2005). IDEA data were further subdivided depending on the method used to diagnose autism (DSM IV or the Code of Federal Regulations, using strict or expanded criteria). Spearman rank correlations were calculated for all possible pairwise combinations of annual autism rates and the incidence of specific cancers. Following this, Bonferroni's correction was applied to significance values. Two independent methods for determining an overall combined p-value based on dependent correlations were obtained for each set of calculations. High correlations were found between autism rates and the incidence of in situ breast cancer (p≤10−10, modified inverse chi square, n = 16) using data from states that adhere strictly to the Code of Federal Regulations for diagnosing autism. By contrast, few significant correlations were observed between autism prevalence and the incidence of 23 other female and 22 male cancers.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that there may be an association between autism and specific forms of cancer.

Highlights

Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by severe impairments in social skills, language and communication, as well as behavioral disturbances
(2000–2007, reported annually by age group) and cancer incidence data were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (1999–2005)
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) data were further subdivided depending on the method used to diagnose autism (DSM IV or the Code of Federal Regulations, using strict or expanded criteria)

Summary

Introduction

Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by severe impairments in social skills, language and communication, as well as behavioral disturbances. Previous studies have reported that children with autism possess a higher number of genetic aberrations, including higher levels of chromosomal rearrangements [2] and copy number variations [3,4,5,6,7]. These studies raise the possibility that there may be correlations to cancer, a disease in which chromosomal aberrations are known to play a role. Autism is associated with high rates of genomic aberrations, including chromosomal rearrangements and de novo copy-number variations These observations are reminiscent of cancer, a disease where genomic rearrangements play a role. We undertook a correlative epidemiological study to explore the possibility that shared risk factors might exist for autism and specific types of cancer

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion