Exposure to glyphosate and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: an updated meta-analysis.

Paolo Boffetta, Catalina Ciocan, Carlotta Zunarelli, Enrico Pira

Journal: La Medicina del lavoro 2021;112(3):194-199

PMID: 34142676

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Plain Language Summary

Glyphosate is an herbicide and crop desiccant widely used by professional applicators and consumers. The aim of this study was to update a recent systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies to help clarify the association between exposure to glyphosate and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Results confirmed the conclusions drawn on the previous systematic review and meta-analysis i.e. that there was no association between exposure to glyphosate and the risk of NHL even though larger better-designed studies were analysed. Authors conclude that an association with risk of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma [happens when healthy B-cells change into fast-growing cancer cells that do not die] cannot be ruled out.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

We updated a recent systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies to help clarifying the association between exposure to glyphosate and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

METHODS

We conducted an updated search of the literature, and identified a total of 15 relevant publications, from which we extracted results from six non-overlapping studies. We performed random-effects meta-analyses for ever-exposure to glyphosate, dose-response, and risk of specific NHL subtypes Results: The meta-RR for ever-exposure to glyphosate was 1.05 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.90-1.24; I2 = 0%). The meta-RR for the highest category of exposure was 1.15 (95% CI 0.72-1.83; 3 studies). The meta-RR for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) was 1.29 (95% CI 1.02-1.63; 4 studies), that for follicular lymphoma was 0.84 (95% CI 0.61-1.17), and that for chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma was 1.33 (95% CI 0.65-2.70). There was indication of publication bias.

CONCLUSIONS

This updated meta-analysis reinforces our previous conclusion of a lack of an association between exposure to glyphosate and risk of NHL overall, although an association with DLBCL cannot be ruled out.

Address: Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy. [email protected].; Department of Pediatrics and Public Health, University of Turin, Italy. [email protected].; University of Bologna. [email protected].; Department of Pediatrics and Public Health, University of Turin, Italy. [email protected].

DOI: 10.23749/mdl.v112i3.11123