Allergic Diseases Linked to Reduced Lung Cancer Risk: Meta-Analysis Finds Protective Effect of Allergic Rhinitis

Despite these promising results, the authors acknowledged several limitations. Only a small number of studies focused on specific conditions like eczema and allergic rhinitis, limiting the scope for further subgroup analyses. Additionally, some included studies had relatively small sample sizes, which may affect the statistical accuracy. Another major concern was the reliance on self-reported data, which raises the possibility of misclassification or recall bias.

Geographical representation also emerged as a limitation. Most of the included studies were conducted in Western populations, thereby reducing the generalizability of the findings to other regions such as Asia or Africa. The authors emphasized the need for large-scale, multinational studies to confirm these associations across diverse populations and environments.

While the exact biological mechanisms underlying the protective effect of allergies remain unclear, the study provides valuable epidemiological insights. The authors speculate that heightened immune surveillance or chronic immune activation in individuals with allergies could play a role in preventing tumor formation.

The authors concluded, "The findings suggest that allergic diseases, especially allergic rhinitis, may offer some degree of protection against lung cancer. Further research is warranted to understand the underlying mechanisms and validate these associations in broader populations."

Reference:

Yang, K., Zhao, H., Wang, L., Cai, C., Lv, P., & Wang, B. (2025). Correlation between allergic diseases and lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Medicine, 12, 1560000. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2025.1560000