Dietary Intake of Vegetables, Fruits, and Meats/Beans as Potential Risk Factors of Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Texas Case-Control Study

Abstract

Diet has been identified as a risk factor for some cancers, but its role in adult de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is unclear. This study was conducted at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to evaluate associations between consumption of vegetables, fruits, and meats with AML risk among Texas residents. All participants, 323 adult de novo AML cases and 380 frequency-matched controls, completed demographic and food frequency questionnaires. Overall, AML risk was significantly decreased among those who consumed the most dark green vegetables, seafood, and nuts/seeds; and it was significantly increased among greatest consumers of red meat. Among men, AML risk was lowest among those whose consumption was in the highest quartile for fruits [odds ratio (OR) = 0.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.10–0.69], poultry (OR = 0.28, 95%CI = 0.10–0.78), and seafood (OR = 0.39, 95%CI = 0.16–0.96) compared to those in the lowest. Among women, risk was lowest among those whose consumption was in the highest quartile of dark-green vegetables (OR = 0.28, 95%CI = 0.12–.68), orange vegetables (OR = 0.40, 95%CI = 0.17–.96) and nuts/beans (OR = 0.26, 95%CI = 0.11–0.60). Based on these findings, interventions can be developed to modify intake of specific dietary components to reduce cancer risk.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported by NCI grants CA100632 and CA115180 and NIEHS ES007784. We are grateful to our data collection team for conducting interviews and administering questionnaires. Finally, this study would not have been possible without the cooperation of our participants.