The Role of Food containing Nitrosamine in the Development of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Literature Review

Romdhoni, Achmad Chusnu; Mustofa, Ali; Saputra, Pandit Bagus Tri; Yunus, Mohd. Razif Mohamad

Volume 17, Issue 1 (March-2025 2025) Iranian Journal of Blood and Cancer 2025, 17(1): 64-70 | Back to browse issues page

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Romdhoni A C, Mustofa A, Saputra P B T, Yunus M R M. The Role of Food containing Nitrosamine in the Development of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Literature Review. Iranian Journal of Blood and Cancer 2025; 17 (1) :64-70
URL: http://ijbc.ir/article-1-1681-en.html

The Role of Food containing Nitrosamine in the Development of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Literature Review

Achmad Chusnu Romdhoni ^*¹

, Ali Mustofa²

, Pandit Bagus Tri Saputra³

, Mohd. Razif Mohamad Yunus⁴

1- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga/Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital Surabaya, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia & Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. , romdhoni-a-c@fk.unair.ac.id
2- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
3- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia & Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
4- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract: (94 Views)

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a rare malignancy originating from epithelial cells in the nasopharynx, with an incidence rate of fewer than 1–2 cases per 100,000 people annually but exceeding 20 cases in endemic regions. Its development is influenced by multiple factors, including nitrosamines found in preserved foods, beer, cigarettes, and drinking water. This review explores the role of nitrosamines in food and the mechanism that caused NPC development by analyzing relevant literature from major databases such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, and PubMed. In addition, nitrosamines, such as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), form through nitrosation, a process involving nitrites and nitrogen oxides interacting with amino compounds. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) sets a daily nitrosamine intake limit of 10 μg/kg body weight, excessive or prolonged exposure may contribute to cancer development. Once metabolized by cytochrome P450, nitrosamines can cause DNA damage, potentially leading to carcinogenesis. However, NPC results from a complex interplay of factors, and nitrosamines alone do not directly cause cancer. Their carcinogenic potential increases when combined with other risk factors. Additionally, chemopreventive agents such as curcumin and vitamin C may help reduce cancer risk.

Keywords: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Nitrosamine, Food, Cancer, DNA damage

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: Review Article | Subject: Adults Hematology & Oncology
Received: 2025/01/28 | Accepted: 2025/03/26 | Published: 2025/03/30

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