Evidence on the association between benzene and hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers is scarce. Hence, we aimed to summarize current literature on the association between occupational benzene exposure and these cancers.We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis by searching Pubmed, Embase, and Scopus through April 2024 to identify cohort and nested case-control studies. We evaluated study quality with the Newcastle—Ottawa Scale and estimated pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using Paule—Mandel method.Twenty-nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. Occupational benzene exposure was associated with hepatobiliary cancer incidence (RR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.04-1.24; I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.707), but not with mortality (RR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.69-1.15; I2 = 66.7%, p < 0.001). Pooled RRs for incidence and mortality were 1.13 (95% CI: 0.93-1.36; I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.729) and 0.79 (95% CI: 0.65-0.96; I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.539) for liver cancer, 1.16 (95 % CI: 0.73-1.82; I2 = 34.6%, p = 0.164) and 2.00 (95% CI: 0.96-4.19; I2 = 67.7%, p = 0.015) for gallbladder cancer, and 0.95 (95% CI: 0.78-1.16; I2 = 13.5%, p = 0.316) and 1.00 (95% CI:0.87-1.14; I2 = 29.6%, p = 0.100) for pancreatic cancer, respectively.Occupational benzene exposure might be associated with hepatobiliary cancer. Further studies, with detailed exposure assessment and control for potential confounders, are needed to clarify this relationship.

Survival from pancreatic cancer remains poor. Conventional treatment has resulted in only marginal improvements in survival compared with survival in the previous several decades. Thus, considerable interest has emerged regarding the potential use of common pharmaceutical agents as chemopreventative and chemotherapeutic options. Aspirin, metformin, statins, β-blockers, and bisphosphonates have biologically plausible mechanisms to inhibit pancreatic neoplasia, whereas dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 inhibitors may promote it. Regardless, real-world epidemiological data remain inconclusive. This review examines the hypotheses, evidence, and current state of the literature for each of these medications and their potential roles in the prevention and treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Adenocarcinoma ; Aspirin ; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors ; Diphosphonates ; Epidemiology ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; Metformin ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Neoplasms*