Glyphosate Exposure and Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma:  A Protocol of Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Amir Mohammad Ahmadi; Nazanin Zaremyvan; Parnian Soleimanidodran; Fatemeh Saleh; Alireza Khodakarami; Sadra Vaez Zadeh; Yaser Soleimani; Alireza Mosavi Jarrahi

doi:10.31557/apjec.2252.20260107

Authors

Amir Mohammad Ahmadi Medical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Nazanin Zaremyvan Medical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Parnian Soleimanidodran Medical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Fatemeh Saleh Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
Alireza Khodakarami Medical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Sadra Vaez Zadeh Medical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Yaser Soleimani Medical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Alireza Mosavi Jarrahi Cancer Research Centre, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31557/apjec.2252.20260107

Keywords:

Glyphosate, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Herbicide, Carcinogenicity, Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Glyphosate is the most extensively used herbicide worldwide, applied in both agricultural and non-agricultural settings for weed control. Despite its widespread use and perceived safety, concerns have arisen regarding its potential carcinogenicity. Among the health concerns, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) has been the most consistently investigated malignancy potentially associated with glyphosate exposure. Several epidemiological studies have explored this relationship, but results remain inconsistent due to variations in exposure assessment, study design, and confounding control. Therefore, a rigorous systematic review and meta-analysis are warranted to synthesize existing evidence and clarify the potential link between glyphosate exposure and NHL risk in humans.

Method: The protocol follows the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A systematic search will be conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library from inception to the present. Eligible studies will include cohort and case-control designs reporting quantitative estimates of the association between glyphosate exposure and NHL. Two independent reviewers will perform study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). Pooled risk estimates (Odds Ratios, Relative Risks, or Hazard Ratios) will be calculated using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity, subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and publication bias assessments will also be performed.

Results: The review will summarize the strength, direction, and consistency of the association between glyphosate exposure and NHL risk, identify key sources of heterogeneity, and highlight gaps in current evidence that warrant further research.

Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis will provide a comprehensive evaluation of existing epidemiological data to clarify whether glyphosate exposure is associated with an increased risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, thereby informing public health policy, regulatory decision-making, and future research priorities.