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Per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are ubiquitous in the environment and have been proved to be immunotoxic to humans. However, it remains unclear whether exposure to PFASs affects the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, nine PFASs were determined in human serum collected from 280 health populations and 294 RA patients in a cohort enrolled between 2018 and 2020 in Hangzhou, China, and were examined their correlations with immune marker levels. Perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFESA) were the predominant PFASs in human serum, with median (mean) concentrations of 5.4 (7.6), 2.8 (3.5), and 1.9 (2.5) ng/mL, respectively. Serum PFOA and 6:2 Cl-PFESA concentrations were positively correlated with anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA) (β PFOA = 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.37, 0.81; β 6:2 Cl-PFESA = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.29, 0.66), immunoglobulin G (β PFOA = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.21, 0.29; β 6:2 Cl-PFESA = 0.16, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.19) as well as rheumatoid factors (RF) (β PFOA = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.34, 0.80; β 6:2 Cl-PFESA = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.36, 0.72). The correlations between serum PFOS levels and RF (β = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.77), ACPA (β = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.73), as well as immunoglobulin M (β = −0.24, 95% CI: 0.64, 0.15) respectively were statistically stronger. We also found PFOA concentrations in serum were associated with the level of C-reactive protein (β = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.40, 0.65). To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting significant associations between several PFASs and change of specific immune marker levels, suggesting that PFAS exposure may increase the risk of RA in adults. [Display omitted] • PFOA was the most abundant PFAS in human serum from Hangzhou, China. • PFOA levels were associated with the levels of RF, ACPA, IgG, and C-RP. • PFOS concentrations were associated with levels of RF, ACPA, and IgM. • 6:2 Cl-PFESA concentrations were correlated with levels of RF, ACPA, and IgG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are widespread in global human blood, and have some toxic effects on liver. However, effects of PFAS exposure on human liver cancer (LC) risk are still not known. In this study, 203 LC patients and 203 controls were recruited, and their serum samples were collected between 2019 and 2021. We determined the residues of 12 PFASs in serum from all participants and quantified their association with LC incidence and tumor markers. PFOS (9.8 ng/mL) had the highest mean concentration in human serum, followed by PFOA (8.3 ng/mL) and 6:2 Cl-PFESA (3.9 ng/mL). We found that concentrations of PFOS and 6:2 Cl-PFESA in human serum were significantly correlated with the levels of alpha fetoprotein (AFP) (β PFOS = 0.13, 95% confidence interval (CI PFOS): 0.088, 0.17; β 6:2 Cl-PFESA = 0.070, CI 6:2 Cl-PFESA : 0.036, 0.10). A positive association of PFOS and 6:2 Cl-PFESA with odds ratios (OR) of LC (OR PFOS = 0.609, CI PFOS : 1.179, 4.029, P = 0.001; OR 6:2 Cl-PFESA = 1.844, CI 6:2 Cl-PFESA : 1.176, 2.512, P = 0.02) were found, after adjusting for different covariates. Moreover, serum PFOA concentrations were associated with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), but their correlation with the LC incidence was not statistically significant. This new finding supports the evidence for the positive associations among PFAS exposure, change of specific tumor marker, and LC risks. [Display omitted] • Occurrence of PFASs in Chinese population serum was investigated. • PFOS was the most abundant PFAS in human serum from Hangzhou, China. • PFOS and 6:2 Cl-PFESA levels were positively associated with the levels of AFP. • PFOS and 6:2 Cl-PFESA levels were correlated with the OR of liver cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]