Fumonisin B1 and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in two Chinese cohorts

Fumonisin B-1 (FB1), a mycotoxin that contaminates corn in certain climates, has been demonstrated to cause hepatocellular cancer (HCC) in animal models. Whether a relationship between FB1 and HCC exists in humans is not known. To examine the hypothesis, we conducted case-control studies nested within two large cohorts in China; the Haimen City Cohort and the General Population Study of the Nutritional Intervention Trials cohort in Linxian. In the Haimen City Cohort, nail FB1 levels were determined in 271 HCC cases and 280 controls. In the General Population Nutritional Intervention Trial, nail FB1 levels were determined in 72 HCC cases and 147 controls. In each population, odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) from logistic regression models estimated the association between measurable FB1 and HCC, adjusting for hepatitis B virus infection and other factors. A meta-analysis that included both populations was also conducted. The analysis revealed no statistically significant association between FB1 and HCC in either Haimen City (OR = 1.10, 95%CI = 0.64-1.89) or in Linxian (OR = 1.47, 95%CI = 0.70-3.07). Similarly, the pooled meta-analysis showed no statistically significant association between FB1 exposure and HCC (OR = 1.22, 95%CI = 0.79-1.89). These findings, although somewhat preliminary, do not support an associated between FB1 and HCC. Published by Elsevier Ltd.