Low-to-Moderate Arsenic Exposure and Urothelial Tract Cancers with a Long Latent Period of Follow-Up in an Arseniasis Area

Abstract

Abstract Background Arsenic exposure can cause adverse health effects. The effects of long-term low-to-moderate exposure and methylations remain unclear. Objective This study aims to examine the association between low-to-moderate arsenic exposure and urothelial tract cancers while considering the effects of methylation capacity. Methods In this study, 5,811 participants were recruited from an arseniasis area in Taiwan for inorganic arsenic metabolite analysis. This follow-up study was conducted between August 1995 and December 2017. We identified 85 urothelial tract cancers in these participants, including 49 bladder and 36 upper urothelial tract cancer cases. A Cox proportional hazards model was employed. Results The analyses revealed a significant association between concentrations of inorganic arsenic in water > 100 ug/L and bladder cancer occurrence, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 4.88 (95% CI 1.35–17.61). A monotonic trend was observed between concentrations of inorganic arsenic in water (from 0 to > 100 ug/L) and the incidence of urothelial tract cancer, including bladder cancer (p < 0.05) and upper urothelial tract cancers (p < 0.05). Participants with a lower primary methylation index or higher secondary methylation index had a prominent effect. Conclusions Rigorous regulations and active interventions should be considered for populations with susceptible characteristics.