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A Meta-Regression Analysis of Nickel-Induced Carcinogenicity: Effect of Nickel Concentration and Species on Lung and Nasal Cancer Mortality in Nickel Refinery Workers

Vincent, Melissa J
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1378109230

Abstract Details

2013, MS, University of Cincinnati, Medicine: Epidemiology (Environmental Health).
Uncertainty about the mechanism-of-action (MOA) of nickel-induced carcinogenicity precludes formation of adequate regulations for occupational nickel exposures. Toxicological studies indicate that only insoluble forms of nickel have a carcinogenic potential (i.e., the nickel ion bioavailability hypothesis), however, epidemiological studies are not consistent with this theory and provide some evidence that soluble nickel may affect the observed lung and sino-nasal cancer risks of refinery workers in ways that are not predicted by research in animals. This could be the result of soluble nickel exposure alone, or of confounding issues, co-exposures, and additional factors. We use meta-analytic and regression techniques to statistically determine if the epidemiological inconsistencies arise from an increased response in lung and/or nasal cancer mortality following exposure to soluble nickel, which would indicate a lack of human relevance in animal models, or from issues of co-exposures and/or other biases. Meta-regression models analyze sources of inter-study heterogeneity across the multiple cohorts included in this assessment and identify areas where study-specific variables (e.g., latency, duration of employment, and exposure concentrations and types) may alter the observed increases in overall cancer mortality. The results of this analysis indicate that exposure to soluble nickel alone may increase the risk of lung cancer mortality in exposed workers, although this risk may be still modified by confounders such as smoking and co-exposure to insoluble nickel and other carcinogens. Limitations caused by the methods and design of the original studies preclude further investigation. Overall, this analysis was unable to confirm the nickel ion bioavailability hypothesis, indicating that soluble nickel exposures should not be ignored or downplayed when developing occupational exposure limits or other regulations.
Paul Succop, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Jeffrey Welge, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
130 p.
Epidemiology
nickel; cancer; meta-analysis

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Vincent, M. J. (2013). A Meta-Regression Analysis of Nickel-Induced Carcinogenicity: Effect of Nickel Concentration and Species on Lung and Nasal Cancer Mortality in Nickel Refinery Workers [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1378109230

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Vincent, Melissa. A Meta-Regression Analysis of Nickel-Induced Carcinogenicity: Effect of Nickel Concentration and Species on Lung and Nasal Cancer Mortality in Nickel Refinery Workers. 2013. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1378109230.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Vincent, Melissa. "A Meta-Regression Analysis of Nickel-Induced Carcinogenicity: Effect of Nickel Concentration and Species on Lung and Nasal Cancer Mortality in Nickel Refinery Workers." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1378109230

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1378109230
452
© 2013, some rights reserved.Creative Commons License A Meta-Regression Analysis of Nickel-Induced Carcinogenicity: Effect of Nickel Concentration and Species on Lung and Nasal Cancer Mortality in Nickel Refinery Workers by Melissa J Vincent is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at etd.ohiolink.edu.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.