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Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and cancer: new perspectives on an old relationship

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Abstract

Purpose

Environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are a mixture of chemical compounds capable to interfere with endocrine axis at different levels and to which population is daily exposed. This paper aims to review the relationship between EDCs and breast, prostate, testicle, ovary, and thyroid cancer, discussing carcinogenic activity of known EDCs, while evaluating the impact on public health.

Methods

A literature review regarding EDCs and cancer was carried out with particular interest on meta-analysis and human studies.

Results

The definition of EDCs has been changed through years, and currently there are no common criteria to test new chemicals to clarify their possible carcinogenic activity. Moreover, it is difficult to assess the full impact of human exposure to EDCs because adverse effects develop latently and manifest at different ages, even if preclinical and clinical evidence suggest that developing fetus and neonates are most vulnerable to endocrine disruption.

Conclusion

EDCs represent a major environmental and health issue that has a role in cancer development. There are currently some EDCs that can be considered as carcinogenic, like dioxin and cadmium for breast and thyroid cancer; arsenic, asbestos, and dioxin for prostate cancer; and organochlorines/organohalogens for testicular cancer. New evidence supports the role of other EDCs as possible carcinogenic and pregnant women should avoid risk area and exposure. The relationship between EDCs and cancer supports the need for effective prevention policies increasing public awareness.

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Data availability

Data sharing not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

Abbreviations

ADAM33:

Metalloproteinase domain 33

AhR:

Hydrocarbon receptor

ASR:

Age-standardized rate

BPA:

Bisphenol A

BPAF:

Bisphenol-AF

DEHP:

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate

DES:

Diethylstilbestrol

DTC:

Differentiated thyroid carcinoma

DTT:

Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane

EDCs:

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals

ERs:

Estrogen receptors

ER-α:

Estrogen receptor-α

GPI:

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol

HR:

Hazard ratio

IARC:

International Agency for Research on Cancer

ΣLMWP:

Low molecular weight phthalates

MBzP:

Mono-benzyl phthalate

MEC:

Multiethnic cohort

MiBP:

Mono-2-isobutyl phthalate

MSWI:

Municipal solid waste incinerator

NHANES:

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

NPCSs:

National Priority Contaminated Sites

NG:

Nodular goiter

OC:

Ovarian cancer

OR:

Odd ratio

PAHs:

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

PBDE:

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers

PCa:

Prostate cancer

PCBs:

Polychlorinated biphenyls

POPs:

Persistent organic pollutants

PPAR:

Human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor

PSCA:

Prostate stem cell antigen

PTC:

Papillary thyroid carcinoma

RR:

Relative risk

SERM:

Selective estrogen receptor modulator

TCDD:

Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin

TGCC:

Testicular cancer germ cell

UNEP:

United Nations Environment Programme

WC:

Waist circumference

WHO:

World Health Organization

2-OH-NAP:

2-Hydroxynaphthalene

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Author notes

  1. R. Modica and E. Benevento have contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Endocrinology Unit of Federico, II University of Naples, Via Pansini N.5, 80131, Naples, Italy

    R. Modica, E. Benevento & A. Colao

  2. UNESCO Chair On “Health Education and Sustainable Development”, Federico II University of Naples, Via Pansini N.5, 80131, Naples, Italy

    A. Colao

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  1. R. Modica
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  2. E. Benevento
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  3. A. Colao
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All authors made substantial contributions to the study conception and design. All authors approved the final version for submission for publication. All authors agree to be accountable for the accuracy and integrity of the work.

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Modica, R., Benevento, E. & Colao, A. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and cancer: new perspectives on an old relationship. J Endocrinol Invest 46, 667–677 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-022-01983-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-022-01983-4

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