Clinical Review
There was a 2.4-fold increased risk for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), a precursor to multiple myeloma (MM), for Air Force veterans exposed to Agent Orange, according to a study reported in JAMA Oncology. Already, veterans who develop MM and were exposed to Agent Orange during military service are eligible to receive benefits, but the study further highlights the relationship.
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The Agent Orange used during aerial spray missions of herbicides in the Vietnam War contained 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T), as well as human carcinogen 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-doxin in variable amounts. After obtaining the laboratory data from 958 serum samples from Air Force personnel, the Air Force Health Studies questionnaire, and results from the physical exam from all participants, researchers were able to compare their findings with control group veterans.
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The researchers created 2 test groups from Air Force veterans. The first were 777 participants of Operation Ranch Hand, who conducted aerial herbicidal missions from 1962 to 1971, and the second group was made up of 1,174 participants, who had similar duties but did not participate in the missions.
The risk of MGUS was more pronounced in veterans aged > 70 years (odds ratio [OR], 3.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27-4.44; P = .007). Among veterans aged > 70 years, there was not a significant increase in risk (OR, 1.4%; 95% CI, 0.55-3.63; P = .63). The crude prevalence of overall MGUS was 7.1% (34 of 479) in the exposed veterans, compared with 3.1% (15 of 479) in the comparison group.
Source
Landgren O, Shim YK, Michalek J, et al. JAMA Oncol. [Published online ahead of print September 3, 2015.]
doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2015.2938.