Cancer, a complex disease caused by disruptions in normal cell functions, often stems from genetic mutations. These mutations can be inherited, arise spontaneously during cell replication, or result from environmental carcinogensโchemicals capable of triggering cancer.
Avoiding obvious risks like cigarette smoke and excessive sun exposure is feasible. But steering clear of air pollutants and contaminants in drinking water is far more challenging.
Understanding the role of environmental factors in cancer development is crucial.
Researchers at the University of Chicago are at the forefront of this effort, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and massive datasets to explore the intricate connections between the environment and cancer.
Examining Cancer Disparities Through an Environmental Lens
Associate Professor Brisa Aschebrook-Kilfoy is leading groundbreaking studies on how urban environments impact human health, with a focus on cancer risk.
Her teamโs recent analysis of air pollution data from the National Institutes of Healthโs All of Us research program, which includes over 500,000 individuals of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, revealed a stark association between air pollutants and cancer risks.
Key findings show that higher levels of airborne pollutants in a personโs ZIP code correlate with increased risks of breast, ovarian, blood, and endometrial cancers.
Furthermore, these risks vary by race and ethnicityโHispanic individuals, for instance, exhibited elevated risks for bone, breast, and endometrial cancers, while non-Hispanic Black and Asian individuals faced higher risks of blood cancers.
โOur hope is that this work spurs deeper investigation into the role of environmental factors in cancer disparities, both in Chicago and across the nation,โ said Aschebrook-Kilfoy.
Medical oncologist Dr. Anand Patel has also examined how environmental pollutants disproportionately affect minority communities.
His teamโs research on acute myeloid leukemia in Chicago revealed that non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic patients are exposed to higher levels of pollutants linked to leukemia. These exposures were associated with more aggressive disease characteristics and poorer outcomes.
Decoding the Cellular Impact of Carcinogens
To understand the biological effects of environmental carcinogens, researchers are investigating their cellular and genetic impact. Professor Yu-Ying He studies how carcinogens influence the epitranscriptomeโchemical modifications that regulate gene expression without altering DNA sequences. Her teamโs work, using advanced cell and mouse models, focuses on how arsenic exposure alters cellular mechanisms and increases cancer risk.
โEpitranscriptomics introduces a new layer to understanding how environmental exposures contribute to cancer. This knowledge could uncover targets for prevention and treatment,โ said He.
Similarly, Research Associate Professor Muhammed Kibriya has spent years studying the genetic effects of arsenic exposure in Bangladesh. His recent work identified specific mutations in non-melanoma skin cancer caused by arsenic in drinking water, shedding light on gene pathways involved in cancer development.
โThese insights may help refine precision medicine approaches for patients requiring therapy beyond surgery,โ Kibriya explained.
Harnessing Big Data for Environmental Health Studies
Large-scale, population-based studies are essential for understanding how environmental factors influence cancer risk. Professor Habibul Ahsan, a global leader in environmental health research, oversees initiatives like the Chicago Multiethnic Prevention and Surveillance Study and the Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study. His work combines environmental, nutritional, and lifestyle factors with molecular genomics to explore cancerโs causes, prognosis, and prevention.
Findings from Ahsanโs research have already shaped public health policies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencyโs decision to lower the legal limit of arsenic in drinking water.
โGlobal health research offers unparalleled opportunities to address large-scale public health challenges and make meaningful impacts,โ Ahsan said.
Shaping a Healthier Future
As environmental factors like air quality, chemical exposure, and climate change evolve, the work of UChicago researchers becomes increasingly vital. By addressing the root causes of cancer disparities and advancing precision medicine, their efforts are paving the way for innovative treatments and equitable public health policies.
This research underscores a powerful truth: understanding the environmentโs impact on health isnโt just about uncovering risksโitโs about building solutions for a healthier, fairer future.
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