Association of organochlorine pesticides and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer: A case control study

Abstract

Background/aims

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) belongs to the class of hydrocarbons characterize by its cyclic structure. Due to their persistence nature OCP gets accumulated in the food chain and cause possible adverse health effects specifically various hormone mediated disorders. Ovarian cancer is also one of the hormone dependant cancer and begins with the transformation of cells that comprises the ovaries including surface epithelial, germ cells, etc. It has been suggested that endocrine disruption, exposure to xenobiotic and subsequent oxidative stress may antedate ovarian cancer and contribute to its pathogenesis. However, no report regarding any association of OCP level with etiology of epithelial ovarian cancer is so far available among North Indian population.

Methods

A total of 120 subjects were included in this case control study, consisting of 60 histological proven cases of epithelial ovarian cancer and 60 controls subjects. Quantification of OCP levels was done by Perkin Elmer Gas Chromatograph (GC) equipped with 63Ni selective Electron Capture Detector.

Results

Levels of β-HCH, endosulfan I, p'p'-DDT, p'p'-DDE and heptachlor were found significantly high in cases of epithelial ovarian cancer as compare to control. A significant association was also observed between higher levels of β-HCH and heptachlor and EOC with odds ratio of 2.76 and 2.97 respectively.

Conclusion

Results indicate the plausible role of OCPs with the pathogenesis of epithelial ovarian cancer among north Indian population. Moreover, it is one of the first report suggesting significant level of heptachlor among north Indian women population with epithelial ovarian cancer.