Insecticide exposure and farm history in relation to risk of lymphomas and leukemias in the Women's Health Initiative observational study cohort

Abstract

Purpose Relationships of farm history and insecticide exposure at home or work with lymphohematopoietic (LH) neoplasm risk were investigated in a large prospective cohort of United States women. Methods In questionnaires, women self-reported history living or working on a farm, personally mixing or applying insecticides, insecticide application in the home or workplace by a commercial service, and treating pets with insecticides. Relationships with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma, plasma cell neoplasms, and myeloid leukemia were investigated using Cox proportional hazard models. Age and farming history were explored as effect modifiers. Results The analysis included 76,493 women and 822 NHL cases. Women who ever lived or worked on a farm had 1.12 times the risk of NHL (95% CI: 0.95–1.32) compared to those who did not. Women who reported that a commercial service ever applied insecticides in their immediate surroundings had 65% higher risk of CLL/SLL (95% CI: 1.15–2.38). Women younger than 65 who ever applied insecticides had 87% higher risk of DLBCL (95% CI: 1.13–3.09). Conclusions Insecticide exposures may contribute to risk of CLL/SLL and DLBCL. Future studies should examine relationships of LH subtypes with specific types of household insecticides.

The role of pesticides in the etiology of lymphoma: A systematic review

“…In the study of Schinasi et al, high risk of NHL and its subtypes among women living in farms supports the literature [6].…”

“…Different measurement tools and methods were used in the studies included in the review. Cancer records [19], SEER coding scheme for the classification of NHL and its subtypes [19], WHO Lymphoma Classification [23], International Classification of Oncology [24], InterLymph Consortium Classification [6], socio-demographic information questionnaire form [19,23,24], questionnaire form examining the use of pesticides [6,19,24], CAREX database [23] were used. Gas chromatograph and chemistry analyzer were used to perform laboratory analyses in two studies [25,26].…”

“…In the study of Schinasi et al, Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) neoplasms were categorized according to InterLymph Consortium recommendations and World Health Organization subtypes. The questionnaire form examining the use of pesticides at home or at work, form of use, mixing conditions of pesticides was used [6].…”

“…It is known that the risk of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) increases in agricultural workers [2][3][4][5]. Different exposures may contribute to this increased risk, and pesticides are considered to have a significant role [6]. Despite the widespread use of pesticides, there are a limited number of studies examining the relationship between the risk of NHL and pesticides in the general population.…”

New Protein Markers of Chronic Lymphocytic and Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

“…Consequent protein synthesis and the involvement of newly synthesized proteins in disease onset and progression are the focus of numerous current studies. Insecticide exposure and farming history have also been associated with a higher environmental risk for developing CLL [19].…”