Association between pancreatic adenocarcinoma risk and concentration of organochlorine pesticides in adipose tissue and urine: A targeted-screening analysis case-control study (PESTIPAC).

Abstract

Background: Knowledge about environmental pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) risk factors, including pesticide exposure, remains limited. Organochlorine (OC) accumulates in adipose tissue and can help reflect long-term exposure.

Patients and methods: Age and body mass index (BMI) of patients with PA were matched with those undergoing a surgery for a benign disease on age and BMI (1:1). Targeted analyses screened 345 pesticides and metabolites, including 29 OC, in adipose tissue and urine samples. The primary aim was to investigate the association between organochlorine concentrations in visceral fat or urine, and PA. Adjusted conditional logistic regressions were carried out accounting for multiple testing.

Results: Trans-nonachlor (odds ratio [OR] = 1.325, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.108-1.586]), cis-nonachlor (OR = 15.433, 95% CI [2.733-87.136]), Mirex (OR = 2.853, 95% CI [1.213-6.713]) and 4,4 DDE (OR = 1.019, 95% CI [1.005-1.034]) in fat and a greater number of positive samples (OR = 1.758 95% CI [1.11-2.997]) were significantly associated with higher odds of PA. In contrast, as awaited, urine samples did not yield any statistically significant associations for all tested pesticides.

Conclusion: Some OCs were associated with higher odds of PA. The underlying mechanisms of pancreatic aggression need to be investigated to refine these findings.

Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04429490.