Post-9/11 excess risk of thyroid cancer: Surveillance or exposure?

Genome-wide DNA methylation profiles and breast cancer among World Trade Center survivors

Background

Increased incidence of cancer has been reported among World Trade Center (WTC)-exposed persons. Aberrant DNA methylation is a hallmark of cancer development. To date, only a few small studies have investigated the relationship between WTC exposure and DNA methylation. The main objective of this study was to assess the DNA methylation profiles of WTC-exposed community members who remained cancer free and those who developed breast cancer.

Methods

WTC-exposed women were selected from the WTC Environmental Health Center clinic, with peripheral blood collected during routine clinical monitoring visits. The reference group was selected from the NYU Women's Health Study, a prospective cohort study with blood samples collected before 9 November 2001. The Infinium MethylationEPIC array was used for global DNA methylation profiling, with adjustments for cell type composition and other confounders. Annotated probes were used for biological pathway and network analysis.

Results

A total of 64 WTC-exposed (32 cancer free and 32 with breast cancer) and 32 WTC-unexposed (16 cancer free and 16 with prediagnostic breast cancer) participants were included. Hypermethylated cytosine-phosphate-guanine probe sites (defined as β > 0.8) were more common among WTC-exposed versus unexposed participants (14.3% vs. 4.5%, respectively, among the top 5000 cytosine-phosphate-guanine sites). Cancer-related pathways (e.g., human papillomavirus infection, cGMP-PKG) were overrepresented in WTC-exposed groups (breast cancer patients and cancer-free subjects). Compared to the unexposed breast cancer patients, 47 epigenetically dysregulated genes were identified among WTC-exposed breast cancers. These genes formed a network, including Wnt/β-catenin signaling genes WNT4 and TCF7L2, and dysregulation of these genes contributes to cancer immune evasion.

Conclusion

WTC exposure likely impacts DNA methylation and may predispose exposed individuals toward cancer development, possibly through an immune-mediated mechanism.

World Trade Center Exposure, DNA Methylation Changes, and Cancer: A Review of Current Evidence

Introduction: Known carcinogens in the dust and fumes from the destruction of the World Trade Center (WTC) towers on 9 November 2001 included metals, asbestos, and organic pollutants, which have been shown to modify epigenetic status. Epigenome-wide association analyses (EWAS) using uniform (Illumina) methodology have identified novel epigenetic profiles of WTC exposure. Methods: We reviewed all published data, comparing differentially methylated gene profiles identified in the prior EWAS studies of WTC exposure. This included DNA methylation changes in blood-derived DNA from cases of cancer-free "Survivors" and those with breast cancer, as well as tissue-derived DNA from "Responders" with prostate cancer. Emerging molecular pathways related to the observed DNA methylation changes in WTC-exposed groups were explored and summarized. Results: WTC dust exposure appears to be associated with DNA methylation changes across the genome. Notably, WTC dust exposure appears to be associated with increased global DNA methylation; direct dysregulation of cancer genes and pathways, including inflammation and immune system dysregulation; and endocrine system disruption, as well as disruption of cholesterol homeostasis and lipid metabolism. Conclusion: WTC dust exposure appears to be associated with biologically meaningful DNA methylation changes, with implications for carcinogenesis and development of other chronic diseases.

Type 2 diabetes and thyroid cancer: Synergized risk with rising air pollution

Diabetes is a complex condition, and the causes are still not fully understood. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that exposure to air pollution could be linked to an increased risk of diabetes. Specifically, exposure to certain pollutants, such as particulate Matter and Ozone, has been associated with higher rates of diabetes. At the same time, air pollution has also been linked to an increased risk of thyroid cancer. While there is less evidence linking air pollution to thyroid cancer than to diabetes, it is clear that air pollution could have severe implications for thyroid health. Air pollution could increase the risk of diabetes and thyroid cancer through several mechanisms. For example, air pollution could increase inflammation in the body, which is linked to an increased risk of diabetes and thyroid cancer. Air pollution could also increase oxidative stress, which is linked to an increased risk of diabetes and thyroid cancer. Additionally, air pollution could increase the risk of diabetes and thyroid cancer by affecting the endocrine system. This review explores the link between diabetes and air pollution on thyroid cancer. We will discuss the evidence for an association between air pollution exposure and diabetes and thyroid cancer, as well as the potential implications of air pollution for thyroid health. Given the connections between diabetes, air pollution, and thyroid cancer, it is essential to take preventive measures to reduce the risk of developing the condition.

TERT and BRAF V600E mutations in thyroid cancer of World Trade Center Responders

The 2-fold excess thyroid cancer risk reported in multiple World Trade Center (WTC) disaster exposed cohorts cannot entirely be explained by surveillance and physician bias thus highlighting the need to investigate the potential consequences of the dust exposure, containing carcinogenic and endocrine disruptive elements, on the thyroid. This study investigated the presence of TERT promoter and BRAF V600E mutations in 20 WTC-exposed versus 23 matched non-exposed thyroid cancers as potential mechanism explaining the excess risk. Although no significant difference in BRAF V600E mutation was found, TERT promoter mutations were significantly more prevalent in WTC thyroid cancer versus non-exposed thyroid cancers (P = 0.021). The odds of a TERT promoter mutation was significantly higher in the WTC versus the non-WTC thyroid cancers after adjustment [ORadj: 7.11 (95% CI: 1.21-41.83)]. These results may indicate that exposure to the mixture of pollutants present in the WTC dust resulted in an excess thyroid cancer risk and potentially more aggressive thyroid cancer, warranting investigating WTC responders on thyroid-associated symptoms during their health checkups. Future studies should include long-term follow-up to provide important insights in whether thyroid-specific survival is negatively affected by WTC dust exposure and whether this is because of the presence of one or more driver mutations.

Retrospective analysis of clinical characteristics and risk factors of differentiated thyroid cancer in children

BACKGROUND

The incidence rate of children with thyroid cancer has an increasing trend. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and therapeutic approaches of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) in Chinese children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 1998 to March 2022, 52 cases undergoing surgical resection in Xinhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University were divided by age (≤ 7 years old: n = 14 and 8-13 years old, n = 38). Treatment methods and clinical features were analyzed to evaluate prognostic factors for oncological outcomes.

RESULTS

Among the 52 cases, the proportion of local invasion in the pre-school group was found to be higher than that in the school-age group (p = 0.01). T stage was significantly different between the two groups (p ≤ 0.05); the proportion of T_1-2 was higher in the school-age group (32 cases, 84.2%), while the proportion of T₄ was higher in the pre-school group (6 cases, 42.8%) relatively. The postoperative complication rate was dramatically higher in pre-school children (p ≤ 0.05). Additionally, the total thyroidectomy rate in the non-recurrent group was slightly higher than that in the recurrent group (p ≤ 0.05). Over half of the recurrent cases had low T stage and low ATA (American Thyroid Association) risk levels at initial diagnosis (78.3 and 51.4%).

CONCLUSION

The local invasion, tumor stage, and recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury rates of the pre-school group were higher than that of the school-age group, where young age served as a potential hazard in DTC children. Hence, surgeons should emphasize high-risk features and optimize individualized surgical procedures for DTC children.

The World Trade Center Health Program: Twenty years of health effects research

It has been 20 years since the devastating terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Thousands were injured or killed during the attacks and many more are at risk of adverse health stemming from physical, psychological, and emotional stressors born out of the attacks. Private, federal, state, and local resources were gathered soon after the attacks to address impacts to the community, including the health and well-being of both responders and survivors. Many of these efforts are now largely consolidated under the federally mandated World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program. This program provides medical monitoring and treatment of qualifying conditions among the 9/11-exposed population and supports related physical and mental health research. In this commentary, we describe the WTC Health Program, with emphasis on the health-effects research it has funded since inception in 2011. We describe sentinel research publications, and how science has impacted the program. We provide examples relating studies in this special issue to important roles in the WTC Health Program research agenda. Finally, we provide a perspective on future research needs.

Health Trends among 9/11 Responders from 2011-2021: A Review of World Trade Center Health Program Statistics

INTRODUCTION

In a single day, the September 11, 2001 US terrorist attacks (9/11) killed nearly 3,000 people, including 412 first responders. More than 91,000 responders were exposed to a range of hazards during the recovery and clean-up operation that followed. Various health programs track the on-going health effects of 9/11, including the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program (WTCHP). The objective of this research was to review WTCHP statistics reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to analyze health trends among enrolled responders as the 20-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks approaches.

METHODS

The WTCHP statistics reported by the CDC were analyzed to identify health trends among enrolled responders from 2011 through 2021. Statistics for non-responders were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 80,745 responders were enrolled in the WTCHP as of March 2021: 62,773 were classified as general responders; 17,023 were Fire Department of New York (FDNY) responders; and 989 were Pentagon and Shanksville responders. Of the total responders in the program, 3,439 are now deceased. Just under 40% of responders with certified health issues were aged 45-64 and 83% were male. The top three certified conditions among enrolled responders were: aerodigestive disorders; cancer; and mental ill health. The top ten certified cancers have remained the same over the last five years, however, leukemia has now overtaken colon and bladder cancer as the 20-year anniversary approaches. Compared to the general population, 9/11 first responders had a higher rate of all cancers combined, as well as higher rates of prostate cancer, thyroid cancer, and leukemia.

DISCUSSION

Trends in these program statistics should be viewed with some caution. While certain illnesses have been linked with exposure to the WTC site, differences in age, sex, ethnicity, smoking status, and other factors between exposed and unexposed groups should also be considered. Increased rates of some illnesses among this cohort may be associated with heightened surveillance rather than an actual increase in disease. Still, cancer in general, as well as lung disease, heart disease, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), seem to be increasing among 9/11 responders, even now close to 20 years later.

CONCLUSION

Responders should continue to avail themselves of the health care and monitoring offered through programs like the WTCHP.