Association of PFAS Exposure with Glioma Incidence and Mortality in Industrial Regions of North Carolina

Introduction: Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmental pollutants increasingly linked to neurotoxic effects. PFAS compounds such as PFOA, PFOS, and GenX can cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in brain tissue. Epidemiological data suggest correlations between PFAS concentrations in water supplies and glioma incidence and severity. This study examines PFAS contamination in relation to glioma incidence and mortality across North Carolina, focusing on industrialized counties.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the University of North Carolina Neurological Surgery Department. Glioma incidence and mortality data were obtained from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) database and the North Carolina Cancer Registry. County-level PFAS concentrations were sourced from the Environmental Compliance History Online (ECHO) registry and the EPA’s PFAS Analytical Database. PFAS levels in glioma tissues will be analyzed via mass spectrometry, examining correlations with tumor grade (WHO classification) and markers like Ki-67.

Results: Preliminary results indicate that counties with PFAS levels exceeding the Maximum Contamination Level (MCL) exhibit higher glioma incidence and mortality. Among the 63 counties with PFAS data, those with the highest contamination were in highly industrialized areas. High PFAS concentrations in tumor tissues also correlated with increased tumor grade and Ki-67 expression. Additionally, we will be cross-referencing PFAS levels by counties with PFAS levels in glioma tissues.

Conclusion : These findings suggest PFAS exposure as a potential contributor to glioma pathogenesis, identifying environmental contamination as a risk factor influencing glioma prevalence and severity. This study underscores the need for further research into PFAS as a modifiable environmental risk factor, with implications for public health policy and neurosurgical practice.