CCSG Pilot: The Cumulative Impact Of Air Pollution On Pediatric Brain Tumor In Kentucky

The cumulative impact of air pollution on pediatric brain tumor in Kentucky ABSTRACT. Pediatric brain tumors (PBT) are the most common solid tumors in children and are associated with high morbidity and mortality, especially in Kentucky, where incidence rates are among the highest nationwide. Despite treatment advances, survival rates remain low, and emerging evidence suggests environmental factors such as air pollution may contribute to PBT development. This proposal seeks to investigate the spatial, temporal, and cumulative effects of long-term exposure to multiple pollutants, including criteria pollutants such as PM2.5, NO2, and SO2, on PBT incidence across Kentucky. Using high-resolution air pollution data (developed by the Lu et al. PI), cancer registry records (from the Kentucky Cancer Registry), and residential histories (from LexisNexis), we aim to identify geographic "hotspots" of pollution exposure, conduct time-series analysis to observe how pollutant levels influence PBT incidence over time, and apply clustering techniques to capture the cumulative effects of multiple pollutants on tumor risk. Demographic stratification will further explore differences by age, sex, region (Appalachian vs. non-Appalachian), and tumor subtype, accounting for unique regional and local exposures such as surface mining and bourbon distilleries. Inter-programmatic collaboration within the Cancer Prevention and Control (CP) and Translational Oncology (TO) programs at the Markey Cancer Center (MCC) will ensure comprehensive data analysis and insight into the environmental exposures of PBT. The Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource Facility (BB SRF) (Co-I Dr. Bin Huang) will support study design and data interpretation, while the Cancer Research Informatics (CRI) SRF, directed by Co- I Dr. Eric Durbin, will provide critical data integration and computational resources. This project will generate preliminary findings to inform public health interventions aimed at reducing PBT risk, preparing for future studies on the impact of environmental risk factors in high-incidence regions like Kentucky.