Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40299947›Full record

SynthesisPloS one2025

Cadmium exposure and risk of pancreatic cancer: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Yaser Soleimani, Mohammad Nayebi, Sheyda Mahmoudi, Mahdi Daraei, Soroush Khorsand, Mohammad Amin Jahazi, Maryam Yadollahi Farsi, Fatemeh Khalafi, Mahdieh Varseh, Zahra Mousavi Jarrahi and 4 more

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Article
  4. Review
  5. Article
  6. Molecular Mechanisms of Cadmium-Induced Toxicity and Its Modification.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Yaser SoleimaniMedical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.ORCID 0009-0000-3412-3277
Mohammad NayebiMedical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Sheyda MahmoudiMedical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mahdi DaraeiMedical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.ORCID 0009-0006-9268-7867
Soroush KhorsandMedical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad Amin JahaziMedical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Maryam Yadollahi FarsiMedical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Fatemeh KhalafiMedical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mahdieh VarsehStudent Research Committee, Khomein University of Medical Sciences, Khomein, Iran.
Zahra Mousavi JarrahiDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran.
Mahna SoleimaniMedical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Kamelia MassoudniaMedical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Saeideh KaramianMedical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Alireza Mosavi JarrahiCancer Research Centre, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies, characterized by a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Increasing evidence suggests that environmental factors, including heavy metal exposure, play a role in pancreatic cancer development. Cadmium, a toxic heavy metal classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, has been implicated in cancer progression. However, its association with pancreatic cancer remains uncertain, with conflicting results from epidemiological studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to assess the association between cadmium exposure and the risk of pancreatic cancer.

methodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted using multiple databases to identify studies that explored the relationship between cadmium exposure and pancreatic cancer risk. Eleven eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to estimate the overall effect size. Heterogeneity was assessed using I², T², and Cochran's Q-test. Publication bias was evaluated using Egger's and Begg's tests.

resultsThe pooled analysis revealed a significant association between cadmium exposure and the risk of pancreatic cancer, with an overall OR of 2.01 (95% CI: 1.30, 2.72), indicating that individuals exposed to cadmium had more than twice the risk of developing pancreatic cancer compared to those with lower or no exposure. Substantial heterogeneity was observed across studies (I² = 98.08%, T² = 1.37, H² = 52.21). Cochran's Q-test also indicated significant heterogeneity (Q(10) = 304.52, p = 0.00). Egger's test (p = 0.5040) and Begg's test (p = 1.0000) showed no evidence of publication bias.

conclusionThis meta-analysis demonstrates a significant positive association between cadmium exposure and an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Despite the considerable heterogeneity across studies, the findings suggest that cadmium is a potential environmental risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Further research is required to explore the underlying biological mechanisms and to develop strategies for reducing cadmium exposure, particularly in high-risk populations.

Indexed as

CadmiumEnvironmental ExposurePancreatic NeoplasmsHumansRisk FactorsCadmium

Identifiers

PMID40299947
PMCPMC12040173

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.