Alkylaniline-hemoglobin adducts and risk of non-smoking-related bladder cancer

Abstract

Background: Some members of the arylamine family of compounds specifically 4-aminobiphenyl (ABP), 2-naphthylamine, and benzidine, are established human bladder carcinogens. Cigarette smoking and use of permanent hair dye contribute substantially to current arylamine exposure. Low levels of 4-ABP exposure have been associated with non-smoking-related bladder cancer. Other arylamine compounds coming from as yet unidentified environmental sources may also be human bladder carcinogens. Methods: We conducted a population-based case-control study in Los Angeles County, California, involving 298 case subjects with bladder cancer and 308 control subjects, who were matched on age, sex, race/ethnicity, and neighborhood of residence. In-person interviews provided information on tobacco smoking and other potential risk factors for bladder cancer. To assess arylamine exposure, levels of arylamine-hemoglobin adducts of nine selected alkylanilines (2,3-dimethylaniline [2,3-DMA], 2,4-DMA, 2,5-DMA, 2,6-DMA, 3,4-DMA, 3,5-DMA, 2-ethylaniline [2-EA], 3-EA, 4-EA) were measured in peripheral blood collected from study subjects. Analysis of covariance and conditional logistic regression methods were used to analyze the relationship between arylamine-hemoglobin adducts and bladder cancer risk. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results: Levels of all arylamine-hemoglobin adducts, with the exception of 2,6-DMA, were higher in smokers than in nonsmokers, and levels of all arylamine-hemoglobin adducts were higher in case subjects than in control subjects. Arylamine-hemoglobin adducts of 2,6-DMA, 3,5-DMA, and 3-EA were all independently, statistically significantly (all P