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Review
. 2023 Dec 8;7(4):31.
doi: 10.3390/epigenomes7040031.

World Trade Center Exposure, DNA Methylation Changes, and Cancer: A Review of Current Evidence

Stephanie Tuminello  1 , Emelie Nguyen  2 , Nedim Durmus  3 , Ramazan Alptekin  3 , Muhammed Yilmaz  3 , Maria Cecilia Crisanti  3 , Matija Snuderl  4 , Yu Chen  1   5 , Yongzhao Shao  1   5 , Joan Reibman  3   6 , Emanuela Taioli  2 , Alan A Arslan  1   5   7
Affiliations
Review

World Trade Center Exposure, DNA Methylation Changes, and Cancer: A Review of Current Evidence

Stephanie Tuminello et al. Epigenomes. .

Abstract

Introduction: Known carcinogens in the dust and fumes from the destruction of the World Trade Center (WTC) towers on 9 November 2001 included metals, asbestos, and organic pollutants, which have been shown to modify epigenetic status. Epigenome-wide association analyses (EWAS) using uniform (Illumina) methodology have identified novel epigenetic profiles of WTC exposure. Methods: We reviewed all published data, comparing differentially methylated gene profiles identified in the prior EWAS studies of WTC exposure. This included DNA methylation changes in blood-derived DNA from cases of cancer-free "Survivors" and those with breast cancer, as well as tissue-derived DNA from "Responders" with prostate cancer. Emerging molecular pathways related to the observed DNA methylation changes in WTC-exposed groups were explored and summarized. Results: WTC dust exposure appears to be associated with DNA methylation changes across the genome. Notably, WTC dust exposure appears to be associated with increased global DNA methylation; direct dysregulation of cancer genes and pathways, including inflammation and immune system dysregulation; and endocrine system disruption, as well as disruption of cholesterol homeostasis and lipid metabolism. Conclusion: WTC dust exposure appears to be associated with biologically meaningful DNA methylation changes, with implications for carcinogenesis and development of other chronic diseases.

Keywords: DNA methylation; World Trade Center; breast cancer; epigenetics; prostate cancer.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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