Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Exposure in New Jersey Prostate Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Biomonitoring Study
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Background
Men with prostate cancer (PCa) may be especially vulnerable to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure due to their endocrine-disrupting and cardiometabolic impacts and cardiotoxicity and immune suppression of treatments.
Objective
A pilot study was launched to measure serum and tap water PFAS concentrations in PCa survivors.
Methods
Men with PCa were recruited from Rutgers Cancer Institute between February 2025 and March 2026, with ongoing enrollment and follow-up. Eligible men were aged ≥40 years on active surveillance or within 3-12 months of initial definitive treatment. Participants provided blood and residential tap water samples, which were analyzed using mass spectrometry (serum) and modified EPA method 537 (water). Geometric means were used to summarize PFAS concentrations by race and assess serum-tap water correlations.
Results
Of 235 eligible patients, 124 (60%) enrolled. Median age was 64 years; 63% were non-Hispanic White, 43% had a Gleason score ≤6. Roughly half of participants provided serum and/or tap water samples. In serum, six PFAS analytes had >80% detection; of these analytes, median concentrations ranged from 0.13 ng/mL (IQR: 0.07-0.20) for PFHpS to 2.55 ng/mL (IQR:1.54-3.82) for nPFOS. Among 74 tap water samples, 9 PFAS analytes had >60% detection; of these, median concentrations of PFNA (0.56 ng/L; IQR: 0.33–0.75), PFOA (3.75 ng/L; IQR: 1.21–5.27), and PFOS (2.29 ng/L; IQR: 0.46–2.89), were below New Jersey Maximum Contaminant Levels. Non-White participants had significantly higher levels of multiple PFAS analytes in both serum and tap water. Serum-tap water correlations were modest (r=0.22–0.41).
Significance
The pilot study has demonstrated both the feasibility and importance of studying PFAS exposure pathways as well as potential impacts of PFAS exposure in diverse populations.
Impact Statement
This study provides some of the first estimates of PFAS exposure among prostate cancer patients in serum and tap water, showing moderate correlations between tap water and serum concentrations of specific PFAS analytes. These findings can support larger studies to identify environmental exposure sources and evaluate the role of PFAS in prostate cancer progression and outcomes.
