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Reduced risk of pancreatic cancer associated with asthma and nasal allergies

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Linda Sharp

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Abstract

Objective Studies indicate an inverse association between ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas (PDAC) and nasal allergies. However, controversial findings are reported for the association with asthma. Understanding PDAC risk factors will help us to implement appropriate strategies to prevent, treat and diagnose this cancer. This study assessed and characterised the association between PDAC and asthma and corroborated existing reports regarding the association between allergies and PDAC risk.Design Information about asthma and allergies was collated from 1297 PDAC cases and 1024 controls included in the PanGenEU case-control study. Associations between PDAC and atopic diseases were studied using multilevel logistic regression analysis. Meta-analyses of association studies on these diseases and PDAC risk were performed applying random-effects model.Results Asthma was associated with lower risk of PDAC (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.88), particularly long-standing asthma (>=17 years, OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.65). Meta-analysis of 10 case-control studies sustained our results (metaOR 0.73, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.89). Nasal allergies and related symptoms were associated with lower risk of PDAC (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.83 and OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.77, respectively). These results were supported by a meta-analysis of nasal allergy studies (metaOR 0.6, 95% CI 0.5 to 0.72). Skin allergies were not associated with PDAC risk.Conclusions This study shows a consistent inverse association between PDAC and asthma and nasal allergies, supporting the notion that atopic diseases are associated with reduced cancer risk. These results point to the involvement of immune and/or inflammatory factors that may either foster or restrain pancreas carcinogenesis warranting further research to understand the molecular mechanisms driving this association.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Gomez-Rubio P, Zock JP, Rava M, Marquez M, Sharp L, Hidalgo M, Carrato A, Ilzarbe L, Michalski C, Molero X, Farre A, Perea J, Greenhalf W, O'Rorke M, Tardon A, Gress T, Barbera V, Crnogorac-Jurcevic T, Dominguez-Munoz E, Munoz-Bellvis L, Alvarez-Urturi C, Balcells J, Barneo L, Costello E, Guillen-Ponce C, Kleeff J, Kong B, Lawlor R, Lohr M, Mora J, Murray L, O'Driscoll D, Pelaez P, Poves I, Scarpa A, Real FX, Malats N, PanGenEU Study Investigators

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Gut

Year: 2017

Volume: 66

Issue: 2

Pages: 314-322

Print publication date: 01/02/2017

Online publication date: 06/01/2017

Acceptance date: 28/10/2015

ISSN (print): 0017-5749

ISSN (electronic): 1468-3288

Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2015-310442

DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2015-310442


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
Cancer Focus Northern Ireland
Department for Employment and Learning
018771-MOLDIAG-PACAEU-6FP Integrated Project
256974-EPC-TM-NetEU-FP7-HEALTH
259737-CANCERALIAEU-FP7-HEALTH
BM1204: EUPancreasEuropean Cooperation in Science and Technology - COST Action
GEN2001-4748-c05-03European Cooperation in Science and Technology - Accion Especial de Genomica, Spain
PI0902102Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (FIS), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
PI12/00815Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (FIS), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
PI12/01635Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (FIS), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
RD12/0036/0050Red Tematica de Investigacion Cooperativa en Cancer, Spain
RD12/0036/0073Red Tematica de Investigacion Cooperativa en Cancer, Spain
PI11/01542Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (FIS), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain
RD12/0036/0034Red Tematica de Investigacion Cooperativa en Cancer, Spain
SLL20130022ALF, Sweden

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