World Trade Center Exposure, DNA Methylation Changes, and Cancer: A Review of Current Evidence

Details

• Personal Author:
  Alptekin R ; Arslan AA ; Chen Y ; Crisanti MC ; Durmus N ; Nguyen E ; Reibman J ; Shao Y ; Snuderl M ; Taioli E ; Tuminello S ; Yilmaz M
• Description:
  Introduction: Known carcinogens in the dust and fumes from the destruction of the World Trade Center (WTC) towers on 9 November 2001 included metals, asbestos, and organic pollutants, which have been shown to modify epigenetic status. Epigenome-wide association analyses (EWAS) using uniform (Illumina) methodology have identified novel epigenetic profiles of WTC exposure. Methods: We reviewed all published data, comparing differentially methylated gene profiles identified in the prior EWAS studies of WTC exposure. This included DNA methylation changes in blood-derived DNA from cases of cancer-free "Survivors" and those with breast cancer, as well as tissue-derived DNA from "Responders" with prostate cancer. Emerging molecular pathways related to the observed DNA methylation changes in WTC-exposed groups were explored and summarized. Results: WTC dust exposure appears to be associated with DNA methylation changes across the genome. Notably, WTC dust exposure appears to be associated with increased global DNA methylation; direct dysregulation of cancer genes and pathways, including inflammation and immune system dysregulation; and endocrine system disruption, as well as disruption of cholesterol homeostasis and lipid metabolism. Conclusion: WTC dust exposure appears to be associated with biologically meaningful DNA methylation changes, with implications for carcinogenesis and development of other chronic diseases. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Carcinogens Dust Neoplasms Occupational Health Safety September 11 Terrorist Attacks
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: World Trade Center Breast Cancer Cancer Rates Carcinogenesis DNA Damage DNA Methylation Dust Exposure Epigenetics Genomics Molecular Epidemiology Prostate Cancer World Trade Center WTC

  More +
• ISSN:
  2075-4655
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant ; Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  New York ; OSHA Region 2
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  31
• Volume:
  7
• Issue:
  4
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20069054
• Citation:
  Epigenomes 2023 Dec; 7(4):31
• Contact Point Address:
  Emanuela Taioli, Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10016
• Email:
  emanuela.taioli@mountsinai.org
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2024
• Performing Organization:
  New York University School of Medicine
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20210701
• Source Full Name:
  Epigenomes
• End Date:
  20230630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:bff7f5841aa940cc9439dfa3c2b304c77d26673fea09efa52aa4d7e3ec22ac17e5cb9184fb0576017e40e8708107274c3a3a8db6e9f0b2fc5b36e35276825afd
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/207604/cdc_207604_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 306.68 KB ]