History of allergies and autoimmune diseases and risk of brain tumors in adults

Abstract

To explore a possible influence of the immune system in the development of brain tumors, we evaluated the relationship between history of allergies and autoimmune diseases and risk of brain tumors within a large, hospital-based casecontrol study. Cases (n ‫؍‬ 782) were patients recently diagnosed with glioma (n ‫؍‬ 489), meningioma (n ‫؍‬ 197) or acoustic neuroma (n ‫؍‬ 96) at hospitals in Boston, Phoenix and Pittsburgh (USA). Controls (n ‫)997؍‬ were patients hospitalized for a variety of nonmalignant conditions and frequency-matched to cases by hospital, age, sex, race/ethnicity and distance of residence from hospital. Research nurses collected data by personal interview of patients. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using unconditional logistic regression. There was a significant inverse association between glioma and history of any allergies ; glioma; meningioma; neuroma, acoustic; adult; risk factors; hypersensitivity; autoimmune diseases Despite much study, the etiology of brain tumors remains largely unknown. Several familial cancer syndromes, such as neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis and Li-Fraumeni syndrome, are associated with increased risk but these account for less than 5% of all cases. 1-3 Only 1 environmental risk factor, ionizing radiation, is well established. 1 In the continued search for clues to the etiology of brain tumors, it is important to consider factors that might protect against brain tumors as well as factors that might cause them. Recent studies raise the question of whether persons with a hyperstimulated immune system might be at reduced risk of brain cancer.Results of case-control studies published during the past decade 4 -9 suggest an approximately 40% lower risk of glioma, but not meningioma, associated with a history of allergic diseases, including asthma, eczema and others. Evidence from prospective studies is very limited, largely because brain cancer is an uncommon disease. 10 Diabetes also has been negatively associated with risk of glioma in some studies 5,11 but not in others. 7,8,12,13 Several cohort studies of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 14 pernicious anemia 15 and multiple sclerosis 16,17 failed to demonstrate a decreased risk of brain tumors. The findings regarding infections and brain tumors, while suggestive of a negative association, are mixed. 5,7,8,18,19 Although available data on a broad range of specific medical disorders are inconsistent, immunologically mediated conditions warrant further investigation as factors that might interfere with brain tumor development.Here, we report the associations between history of allergies and autoimmune diseases and risk of glioma, meningioma and acoustic neuroma based on data from a large, case-control study conducted at 3 hospitals in the United States. Associations with prior infections will be addressed in a separate report. MATERIAL AND METHODS Study population and settingDetails of our study were described previously. 20 Of the potentially eligible cases invited to par...

Epidemiology of primary brain tumors: Current concepts and review of the literature

“…However, there was a statistically signi cant inverse dose response of glioma with increasing numbers of allergens. A recent report on 489 glioma, 197 meningioma, and 96 acoustic neuroma cases and 7999 controls with nonmalignant conditions seen at hospitals from 3 U.S. cities also found history of any allergy to be inversely associated with glioma (OR = 0.7; 95% CI 0.6-0.9) but not associated with either meningioma or acoustic neuroma (Brenner et al, 2002). This study also reported inverse associations of autoimmune diseases (especially asthma and diabetes) with both glioma and meningioma.…”

Allergies are associated with reduced pancreas cancer risk: A population‐based case–control study in Ontario, Canada

“…For example, in a study conducted among premenopausal women, significantly decreased risks of breast cancer were observed among certain age groups with allergies. 20 Brenner et al (2002) examined the association between a history of allergies and risk of brain tumors. 21 Significantly decreased risks of glioma were observed in individuals with a history of asthma, allergies to chemicals and any allergy.…”

“…20 Brenner et al (2002) examined the association between a history of allergies and risk of brain tumors. 21 Significantly decreased risks of glioma were observed in individuals with a history of asthma, allergies to chemicals and any allergy. Similar results were found in another case-control study, 22 where significantly decreased risks of glioma, of similar magnitude, were observed in individuals with a history of asthma, hayfever and eczema.…”

Long-term Anti-inflammatory and Antihistamine Medication Use and Adult Glioma Risk

“…Epidemiologic studies suggest a lower risk for gliomas among people reporting a history of allergies and asthma (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10). Schwartzbaum et al (11) reported that asthma susceptibility gene polymorphisms in IL4RA and IL13 were associated with a decreased risk for adult gliomas; however, they were unable to show significance in a larger analysis (12).…”