Serum Folate Levels and Lung Cancer Risk: A Meta- Epidemiological Study of Population-based Case-Control Studies

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#biomarkers-tumor #case-control-studies #epidemiologic-studies #folic-acid #humans

Serum Folate Levels and Lung Cancer Risk: A Meta- Epidemiological Study of Population-based Case-Control Studies

Bae et al., 2020 | Asian Pac J Cancer Prev | Meta Analysis

Citation

Bae Jong-Myon. Serum Folate Levels and Lung Cancer Risk: A Meta- Epidemiological Study of Population-based Case-Control Studies. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2020-Jun-01;21(6):1829-1833. doi:10.31557/APJCP.2020.21.6.1829

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: While it has been claimed that lung cancer occurs due to epigenetic mechanisms, four systematic reviews were reported to investigate the association between serum folate levels and lung cancer risk. Considering some methodological problems founded in the systematic review, a meta-epidemiological study was conducted. METHODS: The selection criteria of this study were defined that a case-control study was conducted to determine the risk of lung cancer occurrence according to the concentration of serum folate and its results showed odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval. Additional paper was explored from cited lists of 4 papers selected by previous systematic reviews. Random effect model was applied if I-squared value was over 50%. RESULTS: For 5 case-control studies selected, the summary odds ratios (and their 95% confidence intervals) were 0.82 (0.74-0.90) in men, 0.70 (0.62-0.79) in former smokers, and 0.86 (0.75-1.00) in non-smokers. CONCLUSION: Higher foliate levels can decrease lung cancer risk in men and former smokers. Especially, the protective effect was highest in former smokers compared in non-smokers and current smokers. Based on these facts, folate fortification programs to reduce lung cancer risk would be focused on former smokers in men. And some epidemiological studies are needed to provide a hypothesis to explain the sex differences in the association between folate and lung cancer risk.

Key Findings

For 5 case-control studies selected, the summary odds ratios (and their 95% confidence intervals) were 0.82 (0.74-0.90) in men, 0.70 (0.62-0.79) in former smokers, and 0.86 (0.75-1.00) in non-smokers.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Epidemiologic Studies
  • Folic Acid
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: folate

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09