Association between urinary phthalates and phthalate metabolites and cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Meng Meng,
Yao Yang,
Liang Song,
Jian Peng,
Shenglong Li,
Zhengjun Gao,
Youquan Bu,
Junwei Gao
Affiliations
Meng Meng
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
Yao Yang
Department of Pharmacy, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command of PLA, Chengdu, China
Liang Song
Chongqing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Cure of Metabolic Diseases, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
Jian Peng
Biobank Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
Shenglong Li
Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
Zhengjun Gao
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
Youquan Bu
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Corresponding author. Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Junwei Gao
Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China; Corresponding author.
Phthalates, widely utilized in industrial products, are classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Although certain phthalate and their metabolites have been implicated in cancer development, the reported findings have exhibited inconsistencies. Therefore, we conducted the comprehensive literature search to assess the association between phthalate and their metabolites and cancer risk by identifying original studies measuring phthalates or their metabolites and reporting their correlation with cancer until July 4, 2023. The Odds Ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted and analyzed to estimate the risk. Pooled data from eleven studies, including 3101 cancer patients and 6858 controls, were analyzed using a fixed- or random-effects model based on heterogeneity tests. When comparing extreme categories of different phthalates and their metabolites, we observed a significant association between urinary phthalates and phthalate metabolites (MEHHP, MECPP, DBP and MBzP) and cancer risk. The findings of our meta-analysis reinforce the existing evidence that urinary phthalates and phthalate metabolites is strongly associated with cancer development. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of this association. These results may offer novel insights into cancer development.
