Association between heavy metal exposure and epigenetic modifications in patients with urinary bladder cancer

Chronic exposure to heavy metals and occupational hazards is positively associated with carcinogenesis, although the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. The present study evaluated the association between heavy metal exposure and epigenetic alterations/modifications in blood, urine, and tissue samples from patients with UBC and control. ICP-MS measured heavy metal concentrations in blood, urine, and tissue samples, whereas ELISA was employed to assess epigenetic modifications. The study categorically revealed that patients with UBC exhibited significantly elevated blood lead levels and urinary cadmium, arsenic, and chromium compared with controls. Exposure to heavy metals has been associated with changes in gene expression in urothelial bladder cancer (UBC), suggesting that environmental carcinogens may play a vital role in development and progression of bladder tumour.