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A Case - Cohort Study of Hematopoietic Malignancies and Related Disorders and Lung Cancer in Benzene-Exposed Workers in China


N/A
18 Years
N/A
Open (Enrolling)
Both
Lung Cancer, Hematopoietic Malignancy

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Trial Information

A Case - Cohort Study of Hematopoietic Malignancies and Related Disorders and Lung Cancer in Benzene-Exposed Workers in China


Benzene is a known leukemogen and may cause lymphoma as well, but its ability to , cause
these conditions below 10 parts per million (ppm) in air are unclear. It is currently
regulated in the United States at 1 ppm as an 8-hour time-weighted average and at a 5 ppm
short-term exposure level for 15 minutes. There is a critical need to assess risks related
to benzene exposure under 10 ppm because it is widely used industrially and a ubiquitous
contaminant in the environment.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine (CAPM),
whose name was recently changed to the China Center for Disease Control (CDC) previously
established a cohort of 75,000 workers exposed to benzene in 12 cities in China and 35,000
unexposed comparison workers, to investigate the relationship between benzene exposure and
cancer risk, from 1972 to 1987. We followed up each worker using factory records and
reported results suggesting that benzene exposure under 10 ppm may be associated with
increased risk of acute non-lymphocytic cancer and could also be associated with increased
risk of lymphoma and lung cancer. We have now laid the groundwork for a further
epidemiologic investigation in China to evaluate health risks from lower levels of benzene
exposure, particularly as present in the factories during the 1990s. The cohort was followed
up through 1999, and through this effort we have identified 3260 subjects for study,
including cases (HLD malignancies, n= 161; benzene poisoning, n= 1040; lung cancer, n= 560)
and 1500 subjects in a cohort sub-sample to be used as the comparison group. In addition, we
have identified a series of cases with benzene poisoning and controls from the same
factories outside of the cohort (n = 600).

We propose to contact next-of-kin of deceased subjects (essentially all cancer cases and
some members of the sub-cohort are deceased), for questionnaire-based evaluation of benzene
and other exposures, and to contact living subjects (primarily the benzene poisoning cases
and the sub-cohort sample) for collection of questionnaires and biologic samples. The
questionnaires (formatted for direct interview of living subjects or for next-of-kin) will
collect information on potential confounders needed in the analysis of benzene's effects and
information on work experience outside of the study cohort factories. The biologic sample
collection (13 ml blood and buccal cell rinse) will provide material primarily for study of
genetic polymorphisms potentially associated with benzene metabolism and disease status. The
polymorphisms being studied are relatively common in the Chinese population and may be
associated with a relatively modest increase in risk (1.5 to 2-fold). Written informed
consent will be obtained from all next-of-kin and all live study subjects. We will attempt
to enroll 3,860 study subjects or next-of-kin. The study will be carried out with Drs.
Gui-Lan Li and Song-Nian Yin and colleagues from the China CDC, Beijing, China.

Inclusion Criteria


- INCLUSION CRITERIA:

The study subjects are Chinese. Gender is not an important consideration as a risk factor
in benzene-exposed workers. Subjects will be recruited by on - site collaborators in each
of the 12 study cities. Participation is voluntary. Subjects may withdra from the study
at any time.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Based on the available data, no cases (an , thus no controls) will be less than 18 years
of age. Any subject under 18 would be excluded from the study. Otherwise, no exclusions
of potential study subjects are planned.

Type of Study:

Observational

Study Design:

N/A

Principal Investigator

Martha Linet, M.D.

Investigator Role:

Principal Investigator

Investigator Affiliation:

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Authority:

United States: Federal Government

Study ID:

999906205

NCT ID:

NCT00559065

Start Date:

July 2006

Completion Date:

Related Keywords:

  • Lung Cancer
  • Hematopoietic Malignancy
  • Solvents
  • Leukemia
  • Lymphoma
  • Occupation
  • Hematotoxicity
  • Solvent Exposure
  • Cancer Risk
  • Neoplasms
  • Lung Neoplasms
  • Hematologic Neoplasms

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