Risk Of Cancer In Patients Research Articles

EPID-06. ACROMEGALY AND THE RISK OF CANCER: A NATIONWIDE POPULATION-BASED LONGITUDINAL COHORT STUDY IN KOREARUNNING TITLE: ACROMEGALY AND THE RISK OF CANCER

Abstract INTRODUCTION Previous reports on cancer risk in patients with acromegaly have inconsistent findings. Using a nationwide population-based cohort, we primarily investigated whether overall and site-specific cancer risk are increased in patients with acromegaly. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 2,382 acromegaly patients and 11,910 controls aged above 20, from 2006 to 2016. Cox hazards regression analysis was used, adjusting for baseline covariates. RESULTS Among the 2,382 patients with acromegaly, overall cancer occurred in 244 (10.2%), while the 11,910 controls had 707 (5.9%) occurrences (HR: 1.90 (95% CI: 1.63-2.22). Acromegaly patients had the highest relative risk for brain cancers with an HR of 6.80 (95% CI: 2.83-16.38) and significantly higher risk of lymphoma, thyroid cancer, multiple myeloma, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer. Even after five years from the diagnosis of acromegaly, patients with acromegaly had a significantly higher incidence of cancer. Risk of cancer in general and stomach cancer in specific was significantly higher in patients under the age of 50 compared to older patients. There was no sex difference. CONCLUSIONS This nationwide longitudinal cohort study shows an increased risk of cancer in acromegaly patients. Active and long-term cancer screening is necessary to improve the prognosis in patients with acromegaly.

Assessing the 9G Technology Blood Test for Predicting Lung Cancer in Patients with CT-Detected Lung Nodules: A Multicenter Clinical Trial

Background and Objectives: Lung nodules detected by chest computed tomography (CT) often require invasive biopsies for definitive diagnosis, leading to unnecessary procedures for benign lesions. A blood-based biomarker test that predicts lung cancer risk in CT-detected nodules could help stratify patients and direct invasive diagnostics toward high-risk individuals. Methods: In this multicenter, single-blinded clinical trial, we evaluated a test measuring plasma levels of p53, anti-p53 autoantibodies, CYFRA 21-1, and anti-CYFRA 21-1 autoantibodies in patients with CT-detected lung nodules. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated, and subgroup analyses by gender, age, and smoking status were performed. A total of 1132 patients who had CT-detected lung nodules, including 885 lung cancer cases and 247 benign lesions, were enrolled from two academic hospitals in South Korea. Results: The test demonstrated a sensitivity of 78.4% (95% CI: 75.7–81.1) and specificity of 93.1% (95% CI: 90.0–96.3) in predicting lung cancer in CT-detected nodules. The PPV was 97.6%, and the NPV was 54.6%. Performance was consistent across gender (sensitivity 79.3% in men and 76.8% in women) and age groups, with a specificity of 93.4% in men and 92.7% in women. Stage I lung cancer was detected with a sensitivity of 80.6%. Conclusions: The Lung Cancer test based on 9G technology presented here offers a non-invasive method for stratifying lung cancer risk in patients with CT-detected nodules. Its integration into clinical practice could reduce unnecessary interventions and foster earlier detection.

Use of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists Does Not Increase the Risk of Cancer in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are increasingly used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) given their extra-pancreatic effects. However, there are concerns about carcinogenesis in the pancreas and thyroid gland. We aimed to evaluate the site-specific incidence of cancer in patients with T2DM-treated GLP-1 RAs using a nationwide cohort. This study included data obtained from the Korean National Health Insurance Service (between 2004 and 2021). The primary outcome was newly diagnosed cancer, and the median follow-up duration for all participants was 8 years. After propensity score matching, 7,827 participants were analyzed; 2,609 individuals each were included in the GLP-1 RA, diabetes mellitus (DM) control, and non-DM control groups. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) of subsequent cancer in patients with T2DM was 1.73, which was higher than that of individuals without DM, and it increased in both men and women. Analysis of patients with T2DM showed no increased cancer risk associated with the use of GLP-1 RA, and similar results were observed in both men and women. The IRRs of pancreatic cancer (0.74), thyroid cancer (1.32), and medullary thyroid cancer (0.34) did not significantly increase in the GLP-1 RA group compared with those in the DM control group. There was a 73% higher risk of cancer in patients with T2DM compared with the general population. However, among patients with T2DM, there was no association between the use of GLP-1 RAs and new-onset cancers, including pancreatic and medullary thyroid cancers.

Cancer Risk in Patients With Muscular Dystrophy and Myotonic Dystrophy: A Register-Based Cohort Study.

Muscular dystrophies and myotonic disorders are genetic disorders characterized by progressive skeletal muscle degeneration and weakness. Epidemiologic studies have found an increased cancer risk in myotonic dystrophy, although the cancer risk spectrum is poorly characterized. In patients with muscular dystrophy, the cancer risk is uncertain. We aimed to determine the overall cancer risk and cancer risk spectrum in patients with muscular dystrophy and myotonic dystrophy using data from the Swedish National registers. We performed a matched cohort study in all patients with muscular dystrophy or myotonic dystrophy born in Sweden 1950-2017 and 50 matched comparisons by sex, year of birth, and birth county per individual. The association with cancer overall and specific malignancies was estimated using stratified Cox proportional hazard models. We identified 2,355 and 1,968 individuals with muscular dystrophy and myotonic dystrophy, respectively. No increased overall cancer risk was found in muscular dystrophy. However, we observed an increased risk of astrocytomas and other gliomas during childhood (hazard ratio [HR] 8.70, 95% CI 3.57-21.20) and nonthyroid endocrine cancer (HR 2.35, 95% CI 1.03-5.34) and pancreatic cancer (HR 4.33, 95% CI 1.55-12.11) in adulthood. In myotonic dystrophy, we found an increased risk of pediatric brain tumors (HR 3.23, 95% CI 1.16-9.01) and an increased overall cancer risk in adults (HR 2.26, CI 1.92.2.66), specifically brain tumors (HR 10.44, 95% CI 7.30-14.95), thyroid (HR 3.92, 95% CI 1.70-9.03), and nonthyroid endocrine cancer (HR 7.49, 95% CI 4.47-12.56), endometrial (HR 8.32, 95% CI 4.22-16.40), ovarian (HR 4.00, 95% CI 1.60-10.01), and nonmelanoma skin cancer (HR 3.27, 95% CI 1.32-8.13). Here, we analyze the cancer risk spectrum of patients with muscular dystrophy and myotonic dystrophy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an increased risk for CNS tumors in childhood and adult nonthyroid endocrine and pancreatic cancer in muscular dystrophy. Furthermore, for myotonic dystrophy, we confirmed previously reported associations with cancer and expanded the cancer spectrum, finding an unreported increased risk for nonthyroid endocrine cancer. Additional studies confirming the cancer risk and delineating the cancer spectrum in different genetic subtypes of muscular dystrophies are warranted before considering altered cancer screening recommendations than for the general population.

9221 Reproductive Cancer Risk in Patients Treated with Denosumab Compared with Alendronate: A Population-based Cohort Study

Abstract Disclosure: S.K. Yahyavi: Research Investigator; Self; Principal investigator (PI) on an RCT with denosumab. C. Selmer: None. C. Torp-Pedersen: None. A. Juul: None. M. Blomberg Jensen: Other; Self; Holds two patents on the use of RANKL inhibitors to treat male infertility. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Antiresorptive treatment is used in millions of patients with osteoporosis and cancer but during the early studies of denosumab there was a slight increase in ovarian cancer incidence. The aim of this study is to determine the association between use of denosumab and risk of reproductive cancers compared with the use of alendronate in both men and women. Methods: Using a retrospective study design, we combined the Danish registries and identified a population of subjects > 50 years of age. We compared users of Denosumab that had been on alendronate treatment for at least 6 months with a matched population of patients that had been treated for at least 6 months with alendronate alone. Using the L-TMLE method we estimate the risk of reproductive cancers and the risk difference between the groups. Secondary analysis included comparisons with a healthy background population. Results: In the main analysis, a total of 18,162 subjects were included, with 6,054 denosumab users matched 1:2 with 12,108 alendronate users and followed for 3 years. 727 women and 183 men were diagnosed with a reproductive cancer during follow-up. Use of denosumab was not associated with higher risk of reproductive cancer. Compared to alendronate, women who received treatment with denosumab had a 0.06% (95% CI -0.12%; 0.26%) higher risk of a cancer diagnosis after 3 years of treatment. In a model fully adjusted for socioeconomic factors and comorbidities the risk was 0.01% (95% CI -0.35%; 0.37%) higher. The same results were found in men, and when comparing with a healthy background population and sensitivity analysis only using CKD measurements the results were confirmed. Conclusion: When comparing treatments of denosumab and alendronate, this study finds no increased risk of either cancers overall or specific reproductive cancers in men or women. Presentation: 6/3/2024

8384 Reproductive Cancer Risk in Patients Treated with Denosumab Compared with Alendronate: A Population-based Cohort Study

Abstract Disclosure: S.K. Yahyavi: Research Investigator; Self; Principal investigator (PI) on an RCT with denosumab. C. Selmer: None. C. Torp-Pedersen: None. A. Juul: None. M. Blomberg Jensen: Other; Self; Holds two patents on the use of RANKL inhibitors to treat male infertility. Background and Objective: Antiresorptive treatment is used in millions of patients with osteoporosis and cancer but during the early studies of denosumab there was a slight increase in ovarian cancer incidence. The aim of this study is to determine the association between use of denosumab and risk of reproductive cancers compared with the use of alendronate in both men and women. Methods: Using a retrospective study design, we combined the Danish registries and identified a population of subjects > 50 years of age. We compared users of Denosumab that had been on alendronate treatment for at least 6 months with a matched population of patients that had been treated for at least 6 months with alendronate alone. Using the L-TMLE method we estimate the risk of reproductive cancers and the risk difference between the groups. Secondary analysis included comparisons with a healthy background population. Results: In the main analysis, a total of 18,162 subjects were included, with 6,054 denosumab users matched 1:2 with 12,108 alendronate users and followed for 3 years. 727 women and 183 men were diagnosed with a reproductive cancer during follow-up. Use of denosumab was not associated with higher risk of reproductive cancer. Compared to alendronate, women who received treatment with denosumab had a 0.06% (95% CI -0.12%; 0.26%) higher risk of a cancer diagnosis after 3 years of treatment. In a model fully adjusted for socioeconomic factors and comorbidities the risk was 0.01% (95% CI -0.35%; 0.37%) higher. The same results were found in men, and when comparing with a healthy background population and sensitivity analysis only using CKD measurements the results were confirmed. Conclusion: When comparing treatments of denosumab and alendronate, this study finds no increased risk of either cancers overall or specific reproductive cancers in men or women. Presentation: 6/3/2024

9221 Reproductive Cancer Risk in Patients Treated with Denosumab Compared with Alendronate: A Population-based Cohort Study

Abstract Disclosure: S.K. Yahyavi: Research Investigator; Self; Principal investigator (PI) on an RCT with denosumab. C. Selmer: None. C. Torp-Pedersen: None. A. Juul: None. M. Blomberg Jensen: Other; Self; Holds two patents on the use of RANKL inhibitors to treat male infertility. Background and Objective: Antiresorptive treatment is used in millions of patients with osteoporosis and cancer but during the early studies of denosumab there was a slight increase in ovarian cancer incidence. The aim of this study is to determine the association between use of denosumab and risk of reproductive cancers compared with the use of alendronate in both men and women. Methods: Using a retrospective study design, we combined the Danish registries and identified a population of subjects > 50 years of age. We compared users of Denosumab that had been on alendronate treatment for at least 6 months with a matched population of patients that had been treated for at least 6 months with alendronate alone. Using the L-TMLE method we estimate the risk of reproductive cancers and the risk difference between the groups. Secondary analysis included comparisons with a healthy background population. Results: In the main analysis, a total of 18,162 subjects were included, with 6,054 denosumab users matched 1:2 with 12,108 alendronate users and followed for 3 years. 727 women and 183 men were diagnosed with a reproductive cancer during follow-up. Use of denosumab was not associated with higher risk of reproductive cancer. Compared to alendronate, women who received treatment with denosumab had a 0.06% (95% CI -0.12%; 0.26%) higher risk of a cancer diagnosis after 3 years of treatment. In a model fully adjusted for socioeconomic factors and comorbidities the risk was 0.01% (95% CI -0.35%; 0.37%) higher. The same results were found in men, and when comparing with a healthy background population and sensitivity analysis only using CKD measurements the results were confirmed. Conclusion: When comparing treatments of denosumab and alendronate, this study finds no increased risk of either cancers overall or specific reproductive cancers in men or women. Presentation: 6/3/2024

8384 Reproductive Cancer Risk in Patients Treated with Denosumab Compared with Alendronate: A Population-based Cohort Study

Abstract Disclosure: S.K. Yahyavi: Research Investigator; Self; Principal investigator (PI) on an RCT with denosumab. C. Selmer: None. C. Torp-Pedersen: None. A. Juul: None. M. Blomberg Jensen: Other; Self; Holds two patents on the use of RANKL inhibitors to treat male infertility. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Antiresorptive treatment is used in millions of patients with osteoporosis and cancer but during the early studies of denosumab there was a slight increase in ovarian cancer incidence. The aim of this study is to determine the association between use of denosumab and risk of reproductive cancers compared with the use of alendronate in both men and women. Methods: Using a retrospective study design, we combined the Danish registries and identified a population of subjects > 50 years of age. We compared users of Denosumab that had been on alendronate treatment for at least 6 months with a matched population of patients that had been treated for at least 6 months with alendronate alone. Using the L-TMLE method we estimate the risk of reproductive cancers and the risk difference between the groups. Secondary analysis included comparisons with a healthy background population. Results: In the main analysis, a total of 18,162 subjects were included, with 6,054 denosumab users matched 1:2 with 12,108 alendronate users and followed for 3 years. 727 women and 183 men were diagnosed with a reproductive cancer during follow-up. Use of denosumab was not associated with higher risk of reproductive cancer. Compared to alendronate, women who received treatment with denosumab had a 0.06% (95% CI -0.12%; 0.26%) higher risk of a cancer diagnosis after 3 years of treatment. In a model fully adjusted for socioeconomic factors and comorbidities the risk was 0.01% (95% CI -0.35%; 0.37%) higher. The same results were found in men, and when comparing with a healthy background population and sensitivity analysis only using CKD measurements the results were confirmed. Conclusion: When comparing treatments of denosumab and alendronate, this study finds no increased risk of either cancers overall or specific reproductive cancers in men or women. Presentation: 6/3/2024

ASSIGN score and cancer risk in the Scottish Heart Health Extended Cohort (SHHEC) study

BackgroundThe aim of this work was to determine whether the ASSIGN cardiovascular disease (CVD) score, a 10-year CVD risk score used in primary care in Scotland, could additionally detect cancer risk.Methods18,107 participants were recruited to the Scottish Heart Health Extended Cohort (SHHEC) study between 1982 and 1995. Information on health and lifestyle were collected, along with blood and urine, and participants were followed up via record linkage to 2017. Cox proportional hazards were used to estimate HRs (95% CIs) for time to cancer diagnosis.ResultsA total of 5046 cases of cancer were reported during the follow up period. ASSIGN was significantly associated with a diagnosis of cancer, with a 2.3–3.4% increase in risk of cancer per 1-point increase of ASSIGN. The components of ASSIGN predominantly associated with the risk of cancer were age (HR 1.52; 95% CI 1.48–1.56, cholesterol level (HR 1.11; 95% CI 1.08–1.13), diabetes status (HR 1.24; 95% CI 1.01–1.53), and systolic blood pressure (HR 1.16; 95% CI 1.13–1.19).ConclusionASSIGN could be used not only to predict CVD, but also to predict cancer risk in patients. This needs to be validated in further cohorts.

The risk of cancer in pediatric-onset immune-mediated inflammatory diseases – A nationwide study

Background and objectivesAdult-onset immune-mediated inflammatory disease (IMID) increases the risk of several cancers. However, data on pediatric-onset IMID (pIMID) remains scarce. We estimated the long-term cancer risk in pIMID and the association between medical treatment and specific cancers. MethodsWe used the nationwide Danish health registers to identify pIMID patients diagnosed from Jan 1, 1980 to Dec 31, 2018. Patients were matched with ten reference individuals based on age, sex, and residence. The primary exposure was pIMID, including autoimmune hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, and connective tissue disease. Secondary exposures were immunomodulators and tumor necrosis factor-α antagonists (anti-TNFα). The primary outcome was cancer. Estimates are presented as hazard ratios adjusted for family income at diagnosis (AHR). ResultsWe included 12,664 pIMID patients and 109,274 reference individuals. Median follow-up time was 10.6 (interquartile range: 5.4–17.7) years for patients and 10.2 (interquartile range: 5.2–17.3) years for reference individuals. Patients with pIMID had a twofold higher cancer risk (AHR 2.2 [95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.8–2.6]) compared with reference individuals. Thiopurine treatment was associated with a higher risk of lymphoma (AHR 6.1 [95%CI: 2.2–16.8]) and skin cancer (AHR 6.1 [95%CI: 2.4–15.4]). Anti-TNFα treatment was associated with a higher risk of lymphoma (AHR 4.9 [95%CI: 1.1–22.6]). ConclusionsWe found an increased cancer risk in patients with pIMID followed into adulthood. Additionally, thiopurines and anti-TNFα were associated with increased lymphoma and skin cancer risks. This highlights the importance of individualized immunotherapy and cancer surveillance.

Cancer Risks of Patients with Graves' Disease Who Received Antithyroid Drugs as Initial Treatment: A Nationwide Population-Based Analysis.

Background: Population-based studies that examine the associations between hyperthyroidism and cancer risk have yielded inconsistent results. It remains unclear whether the risks of different cancers increase in patients with Graves' disease (GD) who received antithyroid drugs (ATDs) as initial treatment. We aimed to determine whether cancer risk increases in patients with GD, compared with controls. Methods: This nationwide retrospective cohort study utilized data from the National Health Information Database of South Korea. We included 29,502 patients aged >20 years with GD, who received ATDs as initial treatment, and 57,173 age- and sex-matched controls. The primary outcome was the incidence of various types of cancers. Hazard ratios (HRs) with confidence intervals (CIs) for cancer risk were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. We also analyzed HR by follow-up period since the diagnosis of GD, accounting for surveillance effect. Results: The risk of biliary tract and pancreatic cancers (HR: 1.41, CI: 1.24-1.60), thyroid cancer (HR: 15.51, CI: 12.29-19.57), prostate cancer (HR: 1.48, CI: 1.28-1.71), and ovarian cancer (HR: 1.31, CI: 1.13-1.52) was elevated in the GD group than in the control group even after the first year of follow-up was excluded. The increased risk of these cancers persisted after a follow-up period of more than 5 years. The risk of thyroid cancer in patients with GD was higher during the initial follow-up period (1 to <2 years) (HR: 19.35, CI: 7.66-48.87) compared with that in the follow-up period exceeding 2 years. The cancer risk estimates remained significant after excluding patients with GD who underwent subsequent radioactive iodine therapy. Conclusion: In this large-scale population-based study, GD was associated with increased risks of biliary tract and pancreatic, prostate, ovarian, and thyroid cancers. The increased risk of thyroid cancer, particularly during the initial follow-up period, may be a surveillance effect.

Extrahepatic Cancer Risk in Patients with Hepatitis C Virus Infection Treated with Direct-Acting Antivirals.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with an increased risk of extrahepatic cancers, particularly non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The introduction of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has revolutionized HCV therapy, resulting in high cure rates. However, concerns have been raised about potential effects on cancer risk. This review summarizes the current evidence on extrahepatic cancer risk in HCV-infected patients treated with DAAs. We examined epidemiologic data on HCV-associated extrahepatic cancers and explored potential mechanisms linking HCV to carcinogenesis outside the liver. Studies evaluating cancer outcomes after DAA therapy were critically reviewed while considering methodological challenges. While some studies suggested a reduced risk of extrahepatic cancers after DAA therapy, others showed no significant change. Limitations included short follow-up periods and confounding variables. Immunological changes following rapid HCV clearance may have complex effects on cancer risk. Long-term prospective studies and mechanistic investigations are needed to fully elucidate the relationship between DAA therapy and extrahepatic cancer risk in HCV patients. Clinicians should remain vigilant for extrahepatic malignancies in this population.

Is End-Stage Renal Disease Tumor Suppressive? Dispelling the Myths.

The prevalence of end-stage renal disease is increasing worldwide. Malignancies accompanying end-stage renal disease are detected in approximately 120 individuals per 10,000 person-years. Most studies have suggested that end-stage renal disease causes carcinogenesis and promotes tumor development; however, this theory remains questionable. Contrary to the theory that end-stage renal disease is predominantly carcinogenic, recent findings have suggested that after controlling for biases and sampling errors, the overall cancer risk in patients with end-stage renal disease might be lower than that in the general population, except for renal and urothelial cancer risks. Additionally, mortality rates associated with most cancers are lower in patients with end-stage renal disease than in the general population. Several biological mechanisms have been proposed to explain the anticancer effects of end-stage renal disease, including premature aging and senescence, enhanced cancer immunity, uremic tumoricidal effects, hormonal and metabolic changes, and dialysis therapy-related factors. Despite common beliefs that end-stage renal disease exacerbates cancer risk, emerging evidence suggests potential tumor-suppressive effects. This review highlights the potential anticancer effects of end-stage renal disease, proposing reconsideration of the hypothesis that end-stage renal disease promotes cancer development and progression.

Acarbose might be associated with reduced risk of gastric cancer in patients with diabetes mellitus: A nationwide population-based cohort study.

Several epidemiologic studies have revealed a higher risk of cancer in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) relative to the general population. To investigate whether the use of acarbose was associated with higher/lower risk of new-onset cancers. We conducted a retrospective cohort study, using a population-based National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. Both inpatients and outpatients with newly onset DM diagnosed between 2000 and 2012 were collected. The Adapted Diabetes Complications Severity Index (aDCSI) was used to adjust the severity of DM. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of disease. A total of 22 502 patients with newly diagnosed DM were enrolled. The Cox proportional hazards regression model indicating acarbose was neutral for risk for gastroenterological malignancies, when compared to the acarbose non-acarbose users group. However, when gastric cancer was focused, acarbose-user group had significantly lowered HR than non-acarbose users group (p = 0.003). After adjusted for age, sex, cancer-related comorbidity, severity of DM, and co-administered drugs, the HR of gastric cancer risk was 0.43 (95% CI = 0.25-0.74) for acarbose-user patients. This long-term population-based study demonstrated that acarbose might be associated with lowered risk of new-onset gastric cancer in diabetic patients after adjusting the severity of DM.

Association of VEGFR1, VEGFR2 and VEGFR3 polymorphisms with esophageal cancer risk: a case–control study

BackgroundEsophageal cancer is the eleventh most common cancer and is the seventh leading cause of mortality worldwide. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors pathway are a key regulator of angiogenesis and play an important role in carcinogenesis. The aim of current study was to evaluate the association of five VEGFR polymorphisms with esophageal cancer risk in patients from Punjab, North-west India.MethodsThis case–control study included 310 esophageal cancer patients and 325 age and gender matched healthy controls. VEGFR1-710C/T, VEGFR2-604 T/C (rs2071559), VEGFR2 1192 G/A (rs2305948), VEGFR2 1719A/T (rs1870377) and VEGFR3 (rs72816988) polymorphisms were genotyped by using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) method. Restriction digestion products were analyzed on 2.4% agarose gel and genotype was assigned to each sample on the basis of fragments obtained after digestion. Randomly 10% samples were repeated by Sanger sequencing to revalidate the results.ResultsThere was a significant association of CT genotype (OR = 0.28; 95%CI, 0.10–0.76; p = 0.01) and T allele (OR = 0.28; 95%CI, 0.10–0.77; p = 0.01) of VEGFR1-710C/T polymorphism with decreased risk of esophageal cancer. TC genotype of VEGFR2-604 T/C (OR = 0.66; 95%CI, 0.44–0.97; p = 0.03) and GA genotype of VEGFR2 1192G/A (OR = 0.54; 95%CI, 0.31–0.95; p = 0.03) polymorphisms were significantly associated with decreased risk of esophageal cancer. There was no significant difference in allele and genotype frequency of VEGFR2 1719A/T and VEGFR3 (rs72816988) polymorphisms between esophageal cancer patients and controls (p > 0.05). Haplotype analysis revealed that haplotype C-604A1719A1192 was significantly associated with the decreased esophageal cancer risk (OR = 0.44; 95%CI, 0.23–0.84; p = 0.01).ConclusionVEGFR1-710C/T, VEGFR2-604 T/C and VEGFR2 1192G/A polymorphisms were associated with the decreased risk of esophageal cancer in patients from Punjab, North-west India.Graphical abstract

Thiopurines and the Risk of Cancer in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Reference Individuals Without Inflammatory Bowel Disease – A Danish Nationwide Cohort Study (1996-2018)

Thiopurine therapy is a cornerstone in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to assess the effect of thiopurines on cancer risk in IBD according to drug exposure and age. Danish national registers were used to identify incident IBD patients, exposure to drugs and status of cancers, in 1996-2018. Cox regressions were used to compare cancer risks in IBD and non-IBD individuals and to assess IBD patients' cumulative drug exposure and the association to first cancer, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer. We followed 43,419 IBD patients for a median of 8.2 years (IQR:3.7-14.2) after IBD diagnosis. Cancer was reported in 3,128 (7.2%) IBD patients. The risk of cancer was increased in IBD patients in all age categories compared to non-IBD individuals (<50 years (aHR: 1.59 (95%CI: 1.43-1.77)), 50-65 years (aHR: 1.31 (95%CI: (1.19-1.44)), and >65 years (aHR: 1.14 (95%CI: 1.05-1.24)). Monotherapy and combination therapy were associated with cancer (aHR:1.36 (95%CI:1.17-1.57) and (aHR:2.49 (95%CI:1.64-3.78), respectively) compared to unexposed IBD patients. Among elderly (>65 years), the aHR was 2.79 (95%CI:1.24-6.28) in those receiving combination therapy. In patients discontinuing thiopurines, aHRs returned to the level of unexposed (aHR:0.89 (95%CI:0.78-1.01)). The aHR was positively associated with cumulative thiopurine exposure and in patients with >5 years of exposure, reaching aHR 1.36 (95%CI:1.15-1.61). Thiopurines were associated with increased hazard of cancer, especially when used in combination therapy in the elderly. The hazard increased by 36% when patients were exposed to thiopurines for more than five years. Reassuringly, the hazard returned to baseline after discontinuation of thiopurines.

Skin cancer risk in patients with BRCA mutations

Skin cancer risk in patients with BRCA mutations

Increased Vitamin C Intake Is Associated With Decreased Pancreatic Cancer Risk.

Patients with pancreatic cancer have an unfavorable 5-year survival rate of approximately 3% due to diagnosis occurring at advanced stages. Prior research has proposed vitamin C may have a therapeutic and preventative role in pancreatic cancer. A Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant national database was utilized to assess pancreatic cancer risk in patients with or without a history of vitamin C intake. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes were used, specifically the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition (ICD-10) and International Classification of Diseases, Nineth Edition (ICD-9), between January 2010 and December 2020. Patients were matched, and statistical analyses were implemented. Chi-squared, logistic regression, and odds ratio were used to test for significance and to estimate relative risk. A total of 83,941 patients were identified as utilizing prescribed vitamin C. Subsequent matching by Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score and age resulted in two groups of 50,384 patients. The incidence of pancreatic cancer was 243 (0.48%) in the group with a history of vitamin C intake compared to 442 (0.88%) in the control group. The difference was statistically significant by P < 3.174 × 10-14 with an odds ratio of 0.548 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.468 - 0.641). Overall, patients without vitamin C prescription had an increased prevalence of pancreatic cancer throughout all ages and regions of the United States when compared to those with a vitamin C prescription. In addition, healthcare costs were higher in total for the control group when compared to the experimental group. This retrospective cohort study found a statistically significant correlation between vitamin C and subsequent incidence of pancreatic cancer. Further studies are recommended to explore vitamin C's redox and cofactor activity in the context of preventing and possibly treating pancreatic cancer, as well as consider pancreatic cancer lifestyle risk factors such as smoking.

Predictive value of abnormal blood tests for detecting cancer in primary care patients with nonspecific abdominal symptoms: A population-based cohort study of 477,870 patients in England.

Identifying patients presenting with nonspecific abdominal symptoms who have underlying cancer is a challenge. Common blood tests are widely used to investigate these symptoms in primary care, but their predictive value for detecting cancer in this context is unknown. We quantify the predictive value of 19 abnormal blood test results for detecting underlying cancer in patients presenting with 2 nonspecific abdominal symptoms. Using data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) linked to the National Cancer Registry, Hospital Episode Statistics and Index of Multiple Deprivation, we conducted a population-based cohort study of patients aged ≥30 presenting to English general practice with abdominal pain or bloating between January 2007 and October 2016. Positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV), sensitivity, and specificity for cancer diagnosis (overall and by cancer site) were calculated for 19 abnormal blood test results co-occurring in primary care within 3 months of abdominal pain or bloating presentations. A total of 9,427/425,549 (2.2%) patients with abdominal pain and 1,148/52,321 (2.2%) with abdominal bloating were diagnosed with cancer within 12 months post-presentation. For both symptoms, in both males and females aged ≥60, the PPV for cancer exceeded the 3% risk threshold used by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for recommending urgent specialist cancer referral. Concurrent blood tests were performed in two thirds of all patients (64% with abdominal pain and 70% with bloating). In patients aged 30 to 59, several blood abnormalities updated a patient's cancer risk to above the 3% threshold: For example, in females aged 50 to 59 with abdominal bloating, pre-blood test cancer risk of 1.6% increased to: 10% with raised ferritin, 9% with low albumin, 8% with raised platelets, 6% with raised inflammatory markers, and 4% with anaemia. Compared to risk assessment solely based on presenting symptom, age and sex, for every 1,000 patients with abdominal bloating, assessment incorporating information from blood test results would result in 63 additional urgent suspected cancer referrals and would identify 3 extra cancer patients through this route (a 16% relative increase in cancer diagnosis yield). Study limitations include reliance on completeness of coding of symptoms in primary care records and possible variation in PPVs if extrapolated to healthcare settings with higher or lower rates of blood test use. In patients consulting with nonspecific abdominal symptoms, the assessment of cancer risk based on symptoms, age and sex alone can be substantially enhanced by considering additional information from common blood test results. Male and female patients aged ≥60 presenting to primary care with abdominal pain or bloating warrant consideration for urgent cancer referral or investigation. Further cancer assessment should also be considered in patients aged 30 to 59 with concurrent blood test abnormalities. This approach can detect additional patients with underlying cancer through expedited referral routes and can guide decisions on specialist referrals and investigation strategies for different cancer sites.

Endogenous Cushing's syndrome and cancer risk.

Cancer incidence in patients with endogenous Cushing's syndrome (CS) has never been established. Here, we aimed to assess the cancer risk in patients with CS as compared with individually matched controls. A nationwide retrospective matched cohort study of patients with endogenous CS diagnosed between 2000 and 2023 using the database of Clalit Health Services in Israel. Patients with adrenal carcinoma or ectopic CS were excluded. Patients with CS were matched in a 1:5 ratio, with controls individually matched for age, sex, socioeconomic status, and body mass index. The primary outcome was defined as the first diagnosis of any malignancy following a CS diagnosis. Risk of malignancy was calculated using the Cox proportional hazard model, with death as a competing event. A total of 609 patients with CS and 3018 controls were included [mean age at diagnosis, 48.0 ± 17.2 years; 2371 (65.4%) women]. The median follow-up was 14.7 years (IQR, 9.9-20.2 years). Patients with CS had an increased cancer risk, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.78 (95% CI 1.44-2.20) compared with their matched controls. The risk of malignancy was elevated in patients with Cushing's disease (251 cases and 1246 controls; HR 1.65, 95% CI 1.15-2.36) and in patients with adrenal CS (200 cases and 991 controls; HR 2.36, 95% CI 1.70-3.29). The increased cancer risk in patients with CS persists after exclusion of thyroid malignancies. Endogenous CS is associated with increased malignancy risk. These findings underscore the need for further research to establish recommendations for cancer screening in this population.