DocWire News Editors

DocwireNews

Recent research has found that emergency responders for the <a href="https://www.911victimfund.com/?ppc%5Bphone%5D=844.921.1082&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3KjR97H44gIVFFcNCh0csA5KEAAYASAAEgLlpfD_BwE">World Trade Center (WTC) attacks</a> are more likely to have <a href="https://www.docwirenews.com/abstracts/prostate-cancer-in-world-trade-center-responders-demonstrates-evidence-of-an-inflammatory-cascade/">prostate cancer</a> and unique genetic expression. By analyzing prostate cancers from WTC emergency responders and analyzing the effects of WTC dust exposure in mice, these researchers have identified unique gene regulation tied to dust inhalation from the 9/11 attacks. This work was published today in <a href="http://mcr.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2019/06/18/1541-7786.MCR-19-0115?sf104422960=1">Molecular Cancer Research</a>.Those in the vicinity of the WTC attacks in New York City were exposed to several known carcinogens such as benzene, soot, and other compounds released by jet fuel. The smoke and dust from the attacks also contained silica, glass fibers, asbestos, heavy metals, and other harmful components from the towers and aircrafts. Emergency responders in the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/wtc/">WTC Health Program (WTCHP)</a> at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York have expressed respiratory illness and chronic inflammation from inhaling these compounds and have a high incidence of prostate cancer.Inflammation is known to play into cancer development, and several studies have shown that cells exposed to WTC dust release cytokines and other inflammatory agents. In this work, the researchers hypothesized that inhaling WTC dust not only exposed these responders to mutagenic compounds, but that their chronic inflammation enhanced the development of prostate cancer as well.<h2>Analyzing Human and Animal Models</h2>To test this, the researchers obtained archived tumor samples of WTC and non-WTC prostate cancers from <a href="https://www.mountsinai.org/locations/mount-sinai">Mount Sinai</a>. These tumors were analyzed by a pathologist, then had their genetic expression analyzed via NanoString assay. Genetic expression in the WTC and non-WTC tumors were then compared to identify genetic differences between the two.In addition, the researchers also exposed rats to WTC dust to analyze effects on the prostate. These rats were exposed to dust for two hours a day for two days straight, then had their prostates removed for genetic analysis. This dust dosage was designed to emulate the moderate to high levels of WTC dust exposure that emergency responders would have encountered in the first three days after the attack. A control group of rats were used in the study as well, receiving only anesthetic than having their prostates analyzed in the same manner.<h2>Results of the WTC Dust Study</h2>The team found that the WTC tumors showed significantly higher expression of genes associated with DNA damage and cell cycle regulation. Further analysis showed that inflammatory cells known as Th17 cells were also upregulated in these WTC cancers.The researchers also noted that the rats exposed to WTC dust expressed more gene transcripts of cells involved in the adaptive immune response and inflammatory response, correlating with the observed genetic abnormalities in the WTC prostate cancer samples. Surprisingly, they also found that the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway was upregulated after dust exposure as well.These results indicate that respiratory exposure to WTC dust can create inflammatory and immune responses in the prostate that lead to cancer. The authors conclude that these WTC-linked prostate cancers present a unique genetic expression pattern that possibly stems from exposure to <a href="https://www.docwirenews.com/abstracts/hem-onc-abstracts/urinary-biomarkers-carcinogenic-tobacco/">carcinogenic compounds</a> in WTC dust. Further research is needed to better understand the health implications of WTC dust inhalation.

Jordana Jampel

Positive Preliminary Results From Phase 1 Trial of Dopaminergic Neuron Graft for Parkinson’s Disease

Dementia

Bradley Warady, MD

Joel M. Topf, MD, FACP

2025 Hume Award Winner Is Dedicated to Children’s Care

NKF Spring Clinical Meetings 2025

Distant Brain Metastases in Cutaneous Melanoma May Be Mitigated With Multiple Pathway Inhibitors

Melanoma

Latest News

9/11 World Trade Center Responders have Higher Rates of Prostate Cancer

Oncology

Recent research has found that emergency responders for the World Trade Center (WTC) attacks are more likely to have prostate cancer and unique genetic expression. By ...

About Us

Editorial Policy

Advertising

Contact Us

eNewsletters

Contribute

Career Center

MashupMD

Blood Cancers Today

Cancer Nursing Today

GU Oncology Now

Urban Health Today

Bile Duct Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

Gastroesophageal Cancer

Gastric Cancer

GEP-NETs

GIST

Liver Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

GI Oncology Now

Anemia

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Essential Thrombocythemia

Hemophilia

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Myelofibrosis

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Polycythemia Vera

Pulmonary Embolism

Sickle Cell Disease

Thrombocytopenia

Thrombophilia

Thrombosis

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Venous Thromboembolism

von Willebrand Disease

Heme Today

Acute Kidney Injury

ADPKD

Anemia and Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease

COVID-19 and Kidney Disease

Diabetes and Hypertension

End-Stage Renal Disease

Gout

Hyperkalemia

IgAN

Kidney Transplantation

Metabolic Acidosis

Nephrology Times

HER2 Breast Cancer

HR Breast Cancer

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Genetics & Breast Cancer

Breast Cancers Today

Atherosclerotic Disease

Atrial Fibrillation

Heart Failure

Hypertension

Interventional Cardiology

Lipid Management

Practice Tips With Dr. Lichaa

Preventive Cardiology

Stroke

Cardiology

Breast Cancer

Gynecologic Cancer

Head and Neck Cancer

Skin Cancer

Sleep

Urology

Diabetes

Ophthalmology

— Demodex Blepharitis

Neurology

Rheumatology

Gastroenterology

Pulmonology

Infectious Diseases

— HIV

Health and Wellness

Lupus

Future of Medicine

Orthopedics

Pharmacology

Career News

More

Conferences

CardioNerds

The Sleep Source With Dr. Morse

Rheumatology Rounds With Dr. Maheswaranathan

Partners

Expert Interviews

Subscribe