Role of iron biomarkers and iron intakes in lung cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#biomarkers #ferritins #humans #iron #iron-dietary

Role of iron biomarkers and iron intakes in lung cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Wang et al., 2022 | J Trace Elem Med Biol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Wang Qian, Cui Qi, ... Xing Rui. Role of iron biomarkers and iron intakes in lung cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2022-Dec;74:127060. doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2022.127060

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The role of iron biomarkers and iron intake in the susceptibility to lung cancer is unclear. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis, to assess the relationship between iron levels in the body or iron intake and the risk of lung cancer. METHOD: This review is registered with PROSPERO (number CRD 42020199776). PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane were used to search for studies assessing the relationship between iron and lung cancer, up to July 15, 2021. Qualitative and quantitative analysis was carried out to determine if there was a correlation between iron biomarkers/intakes and the risk of lung cancer. RESULT: Twenty articles were included. Pooled analyses demonstrated that serum ferritin concentrations and transferrin saturation (TSAT) were significantly higher in patients with lung cancer than in healthy controls (ferritin: standardized mean differences [SMD], 0.235, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.129, 0.341, I2 = 32.1 %; TSAT: SMD, 0.07, 95 % CI, 0.018, 0.121, I2 = 0 %). In contrast, serum transferrin concentrations were significantly lower in patients with lung cancer than in healthy controls (SMD, -0.591, 95 % CI, -1.18, -0.003, I2 = 87.7 %). No significant effects of serum iron, lung tissue iron, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) ferritin, or iron intake (total iron, dietary iron, heme iron, or non-heme iron) were found on lung cancer incidence. CONCLUSION: Among the different iron biomarkers analyzed, a trend in association was only detected with serum ferritin, TSAT and transferrin concentration and no associations were found between iron intakes and the risk of lung cancer. However, more prospective studies are needed to strengthen the current evidence.

Key Findings

Among the different iron biomarkers analyzed, a trend in association was only detected with serum ferritin, TSAT and transferrin concentration and no associations were found between iron intakes and the risk of lung cancer. However, more prospective studies are needed to strengthen the current evidence.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

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

MeSH Terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Ferritins
  • Humans
  • Iron
  • Iron, Dietary
  • Lung
  • Lung Neoplasms
  • Transferrin

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: iron

Provenance

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