New Study Provides Clues to What Causes Myeloma
Six
months ago, cancer was added to the list of illnesses covered by the $3.4
billion World Trade Center fund. Now, as reported on December 19th in the New York Times, the New York
City Health Department has completed a study that compares cancer rates among
9/11 responders with overall cancer rates for New York State. Myeloma is at the
top of the list of cancers occurring at a statistically higher rate in 9/11
responders. Myeloma is occurring at a 3-fold increased rate: the rate being +185%
versus the average for New York State. Thyroid cancer was at +102% and prostate
cancer at +43%. All others were not statistically increased in this study.
The
findings are controversial in part because it is very early to be assessing the
ultimate risks--and therefore much too soon to be drawing conclusions for most
cancers, the occurrence of which will increase over time. However, the early
increase in myeloma cases is quite remarkable and suggests a particular
susceptibility to the exposures at 9/11 sites.
The
specific
chemical identified by the Zadroga Act reviewers (6 months ago) was
1-3 butadiene, a chemical linked to rubbers and other fumes present at
the 9/11 sites. The chemical 1-3 butadiene is metabolized in
the body via an epoxy mechanism. A study which I published in 2009 (Leukemia article
on DNA SNP)
showed that myeloma patients are more likely to have a defect in this epoxy
metabolism, and, therefore, are potentially more susceptible to the toxic
effects.
So
it seems that a story is coming together linking exposure, susceptibility, and
early onset of myeloma in the 9/11 setting. More studies and follow-ups are
needed, but these findings are plausible and satisfy elements of what are
called the "Bradford Hill Criteria," used to link toxic exposures and the
development of cancer such as myeloma. There is already "proof of principle"
that several toxic chemicals can cause myeloma, including pesticides, solvents,
and chemicals such as 1-3 butadiene.
