Allergies and Risk of Head and Neck Cancer: An Original Study plus Meta-Analysis

Jenn Ren Hsiao, Chun Yen Ou, Hung I. Lo, Cheng Chih Huang, Wei Ting Lee, Jehn Shyun Huang, Ken Chung Chen, Tung Yiu Wong, Sen Tien Tsai, Chia Jui Yen, Yuan Hua Wu, Wei Ting Hsueh, Ming Wei Yang, Shang Yin Wu, Jang Yang Chang, Kwang Yu Chang, Chen Lin Lin, Fang Ting Wang, Yi Hui Wang, Ya Ling WengHan Chien Yang, Jeffrey S. Chang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Although the relationship between allergy and cancer has been investigated extensively, the role of allergy in head and neck cancer (HNC) appears less consistent. It is not clear whether allergies can independently influence the risk of HNC in the presence of known strong environmental risk factors, including consumption of alcohol, betel quid, and cigarette. Methods: The current paper reports results from: 1) an original hospital-based case-control study, which included 252 incident cases of HNC and 236 controls frequency-matched to cases on sex and age; and 2) a meta-analysis combining the results of the current case-control study and 13 previously published studies (9 cohort studies with 727,569 subjects and 550 HNC outcomes and 5 case-control studies with 4,017 HNC cases and 10,928 controls). Results: In the original case-control study, we observed a strong inverse association between allergies and HNC [odds ratio = 0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.27-0.62]. The meta-analysis also indicated a statistically significant inverse association between HNC and allergies [meta-relative risk (RR) = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.63-0.91], particularly strong for allergic rhinitis (meta-RR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.40-0.76). In addition, the inverse association between allergies and HNC was observed only among men (meta-RR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.54-0.84) but not among women (meta-RR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.81-1.18). Conclusions: These findings suggest that immunity plays an influential role in the risk of HNC. Future studies investigating immune biomarkers, including cytokine profiles and genetic polymorphisms, are warranted to further delineate the relationship between allergies and HNC. Understanding the relationship between allergies and HNC may help devise effective strategies to reduce and treat HNC.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere55138
JournalPLoS ONE
Volume8
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2013
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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