TPTh 9.15 Dietary Iron Intake, Circulating Iron Levels and Risk of Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is a rapidly fatal malignancy with few preventive options. Iron is a biologically important micronutrient with roles in oxidative stress, but evidence linking iron status to pancreatic cancer is inconsistent. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association between iron intake or serum iron levels and pancreatic cancer risk. Major electronic databases were searched from inception to December 2025 for studies assessing iron intake and/or biomarkers of iron status in relation to breast cancer risk. Using random-effects meta-analyses, pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated comparing the highest versus lowest category of each iron measure. A total of 11 studies were included, nine of which were eligible for meta-analysis of iron intake measures. Across eight studies, total iron intake was associated with a borderline inverse association with pancreatic cancer risk (pooled RR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.74 - 1.00), with a stronger association observed in case-control studies (pooled RR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.64 - 1.02) compared to prospective cohorts (pooled RR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.74-1.10). There was no association for heme-iron intake (pooled RR = 1.09, 95% CI: 0.92-1.28). Iron intake may be positively associated with pancreatic cancer risk. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify the role of heme-iron intake and circulating measures of iron status due to limited available data.