Opposing effects of aspirin and acetaminophen use on risk of adult acute leukemia.
Regular use of aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has been hypothesized to be associated with reduced risk of hematologic cancer, although previous results have been inconsistent. The current study investigated the effects of aspirin or acetaminophen use on adult acute leukemia risk among 169 individuals with leukemia and 676 age and sex matched hospital controls with non-neoplastic conditions who completed a comprehensive epidemiologic questionnaire. Results indicate that regular aspirin use may be associated with a modest decrease in leukemia risk [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 0.84; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.59-1.21]. In contrast, ever using acetaminophen was associated with elevated leukemia risk (aOR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.03-2.26). Results did not differ between men and women. Other studies have demonstrated that acetaminophen is associated with transient decreases in DNA repair, and lymphocytes may be particularly susceptible to DNA damage, suggesting a mechanism for the elevated acute leukemia risk observed among acetaminophen users.
Weiss
Joli R
JR
Department of Epidemiology, A-316 Carlton House, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.
Baker
Julie A
JA
Baer
Maria R
MR
Menezes
Ravi J
RJ
Nowell
Susan
S
Moysich
Kirsten B
KB
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors
D000082:Acetaminophen; D001241:Aspirin