1
|
Sweef O, Zaabout E, Bakheet A, Halawa M, Gad I, Akela M, Tousson E, Abdelghany A, Furuta S. Unraveling Therapeutic Opportunities and the Diagnostic Potential of microRNAs for Human Lung Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2061. [PMID: 37631277 PMCID: PMC10459057 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15082061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is a major public health problem and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite advances in treatment options, the five-year survival rate for lung cancer patients remains low, emphasizing the urgent need for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for lung cancer due to their crucial roles in regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. For example, miR-34a and miR-150, once delivered to lung cancer via liposomes or nanoparticles, can inhibit tumor growth by downregulating critical cancer promoting genes. Conversely, miR-21 and miR-155, frequently overexpressed in lung cancer, are associated with increased cell proliferation, invasion, and chemotherapy resistance. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the roles of miRNAs in lung carcinogenesis, especially those induced by exposure to environmental pollutants, namely, arsenic and benzopyrene, which account for up to 1/10 of lung cancer cases. We then discuss the recent advances in miRNA-based cancer therapeutics and diagnostics. Such information will provide new insights into lung cancer pathogenesis and innovative diagnostic and therapeutic modalities based on miRNAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Osama Sweef
- Division of Cancer Biology, Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Elsayed Zaabout
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ahmed Bakheet
- Division of Cancer Biology, Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
| | - Mohamed Halawa
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Ibrahim Gad
- Department of Statistics and Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Akela
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Humanities in Al-Kharj, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ehab Tousson
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Ashraf Abdelghany
- Biomedical Research Center of University of Granada, Excellence Research Unit “Modeling Nature” (MNat), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Saori Furuta
- Division of Cancer Biology, Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Verghese M, Wilkinson E, He Y. Role of RNA modifications in carcinogenesis and carcinogen damage response. Mol Carcinog 2023; 62:24-37. [PMID: 35560957 PMCID: PMC9653521 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The field of epitranscriptomics encompasses the study of post-transcriptional RNA modifications and their regulatory enzymes. Among the numerous RNA modifications, N6 -methyladenosine (m6 A) has been identified as the most common internal modification of messenger RNA (mRNA). Although m6 A modifications were first discovered in the 1970s, advances in technology have revived interest in this field, driving an abundance of research into the role of RNA modifications in various biological processes, including cancer. As analogs to epigenetic modifications, RNA modifications also play an important role in carcinogenesis by regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally. A growing body of evidence suggests that carcinogens can modulate RNA modifications to alter the expression of oncogenes or tumor suppressors during cellular transformation. Additionally, the expression and activity of the enzymes that regulate RNA modifications can be dysregulated and contribute to carcinogenesis, making these enzymes promising targets of drug discovery. Here we summarize the roles of RNA modifications during carcinogenesis induced by exposure to various environmental carcinogens, with a main focus on the roles of the most widely studied m6 A mRNA methylation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Verghese
- Department of Medicine, Section of DermatologyUniversity of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Pritzker School of MedicineUniversity of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Emma Wilkinson
- Department of Medicine, Section of DermatologyUniversity of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Committee on Cancer BiologyUniversity of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Yu‐Ying He
- Department of Medicine, Section of DermatologyUniversity of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Committee on Cancer BiologyUniversity of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rosendahl Huber A, Van Hoeck A, Van Boxtel R. The Mutagenic Impact of Environmental Exposures in Human Cells and Cancer: Imprints Through Time. Front Genet 2021; 12:760039. [PMID: 34745228 PMCID: PMC8565797 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.760039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
During life, the DNA of our cells is continuously exposed to external damaging processes. Despite the activity of various repair mechanisms, DNA damage eventually results in the accumulation of mutations in the genomes of our cells. Oncogenic mutations are at the root of carcinogenesis, and carcinogenic agents are often highly mutagenic. Over the past decade, whole genome sequencing data of healthy and tumor tissues have revealed how cells in our body gradually accumulate mutations because of exposure to various mutagenic processes. Dissection of mutation profiles based on the type and context specificities of the altered bases has revealed a variety of signatures that reflect past exposure to environmental mutagens, ranging from chemotherapeutic drugs to genotoxic gut bacteria. In this review, we discuss the latest knowledge on somatic mutation accumulation in human cells, and how environmental mutagenic factors further shape the mutation landscapes of tissues. In addition, not all carcinogenic agents induce mutations, which may point to alternative tumor-promoting mechanisms, such as altered clonal selection dynamics. In short, we provide an overview of how environmental factors induce mutations in the DNA of our healthy cells and how this contributes to carcinogenesis. A better understanding of how environmental mutagens shape the genomes of our cells can help to identify potential preventable causes of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Axel Rosendahl Huber
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Arne Van Hoeck
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ruben Van Boxtel
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Burgio E, Piscitelli P, Colao A. Environmental Carcinogenesis and Transgenerational Transmission of Carcinogenic Risk: From Genetics to Epigenetics. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018; 15:E1791. [PMID: 30127322 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15081791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The dominant pathogenic model, somatic mutation theory (SMT), considers carcinogenesis as a ‘genetic accident’ due to the accumulation of ‘stochastic’ DNA mutations. This model was proposed and accepted by the scientific community when cancer mainly affected the elderly, but it does not explain the epidemiological observation of the continuous increase in cancer incidence among children and young adults. Somatic mutation theory has been proposed for a revision based on the emerging experimental evidence, as it does not fully address some issues that have proven to be crucial for carcinogenesis, namely: the inflammatory context of cancer; the key role played by the stroma, microenvironment, endothelial cells, activated macrophages, and surrounding tissues; and the distorted developmental course followed by the neoplastic tissue. Furthermore, SMT is often not able to consider either the existence of specific mutations resulting in a well-defined cancer type, or a clear relationship between mutations and tumor progression. Moreover, it does not explain the mechanism of action of the non-mutagenic and environmental carcinogens. In the last decade, cancer research has highlighted the prominent role of an altered regulation of gene expression, suggesting that cancer should be considered as a result of a polyclonal epigenetic disruption of stem/progenitor cells, mediated by tumour-inducing genes. The maternal and fetal exposure to a wide range of chemicals and environmental contaminants is raising the attention of the scientific community. Indeed, the most powerful procarcinogenic mechanisms of endocrine disruptors and other pollutants is linked to their potential to interfere epigenetically with the embryo-fetal programming of tissues and organs, altering the regulation of the genes involved in the cell cycle, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and other key signaling pathways. The embryo-fetal exposure to environmental, stressful, and proinflammatory triggers (first hit), seems to act as a ‘disease primer’, making fetal cells and tissues more susceptible to the subsequent environmental exposures (second hit), triggering the carcinogenic pathways. Furthermore, even at the molecular level, in carcinogenesis, ‘epigenetics precedes genetics’ as global DNA hypomethylation, and the hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes are common both in cancerous and in precancerous cells, and generally precede mutations. These epigenetic models may better explain the increase of cancer and chronic/degenerative diseases in the last decades and could be useful to adopt appropriate primary prevention measures, essentially based on the reduction of maternal-fetal and child exposure to several procarcinogenic agents and factors dispersed in the environment and in the food-chains, as recently suggested by the World Health Organization.
Collapse
|
5
|
Neri A, McNaughton C, Momin B, Puckett M, Gallaway MS. Measuring public knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to radon to inform cancer control activities and practices. Indoor Air 2018; 28:604-610. [PMID: 29704395 PMCID: PMC6047348 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Radon exposure is the second leading risk factor for lung cancer among smokers and the leading risk factor among non-smokers. Radon concentrated in lower levels of homes/buildings can be reduced if found, thus lowering lung cancer risk. The objective of this study was to measure radon knowledge in diverse populations, with varying radon-related laws, to inform radon-related cancer control practices and activities. A survey was mailed to 3000 homebuyers who purchased single-family homes; 995 responses (33%) were received. Overall, 86% of respondents heard of radon-related health issues. Real estate agents (69%) or home inspectors (65%) were the most common sources of information. Respondents were more likely to test their home for radon if they reported previously hearing of radon-related health issues or understanding of how radon-related health issues affect the home-buying process. Respondents in states with notification policies were twice as likely as those without policies to have heard about radon-related health issues (OR 2.01, 95% CI: 1.27-3.17). This study provides useful information for cancer control activities including that education is positively associated with home testing for radon. It also suggests partnering with real estate agents to further radon education and testing efforts to reduce radon exposure and lung cancer risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Neri
- Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Population Health Workforce Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, Preventive Medicine Residency and Fellowship, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Comprehensive Cancer Control Branch, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - B Momin
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Comprehensive Cancer Control Branch, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - M Puckett
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Comprehensive Cancer Control Branch, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - M S Gallaway
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Comprehensive Cancer Control Branch, Atlanta, GA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Donat-Vargas C, Åkesson A, Berglund M, Glynn A, Wolk A, Kippler M. Dietary exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and risk of breast, endometrial and ovarian cancer in a prospective cohort. Br J Cancer 2016; 115:1113-1121. [PMID: 27632375 PMCID: PMC5117780 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2016.282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2016] [Revised: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Observational studies on polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposure and hormone-related cancer risk are either inconsistent or lacking. We aimed to assess associations of dietary PCB exposure with breast, endometrial and ovarian cancer risk in middle-aged and elderly women. METHODS We included 36 777 cancer-free women at baseline in 1997 from the prospective population-based Swedish Mammography Cohort. Validated estimates of dietary PCB exposure were obtained via a food frequency questionnaire. Incident cancer cases were ascertained through register linkage. RESULTS During 14 years of follow-up, we ascertained 1593, 437 and 195 incident cases of breast, endometrial and ovarian cancer. We found no overall association between dietary PCB exposure and any of these cancer forms. The multivariable-adjusted relative risks comparing women in the highest and lowest tertile of PCB exposure were 0.96 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.75, 1.24), 1.21 (95% CI: 0.73, 2.01) and 0.90 (95% CI: 0.45, 1.79) for breast, endometrial and ovarian cancer. In analyses stratified by factors influencing oestrogen exposure, possibly masking associations with PCBs, indications of higher risks were observed for endometrial cancer. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that dietary exposure to PCBs play no critical role in the development of breast, endometrial or ovarian cancer during middle-age and old ages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Donat-Vargas
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- IDISNA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Agneta Åkesson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marika Berglund
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Glynn
- Department of Risk and Benefit Assessment, National Food Agency, Box 622, SE-751 26 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Alicja Wolk
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Kippler
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Coughlin S, Thind H, Liu B, Champagne N, Jacobs M, Massey RI. Mobile Phone Apps for Preventing Cancer Through Educational and Behavioral Interventions: State of the Art and Remaining Challenges. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2016; 4:e69. [PMID: 27242162 PMCID: PMC4925121 DOI: 10.2196/mhealth.5361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Revised: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rapid developments in technology have encouraged the use of mobile phones in smoking cessation, promoting healthy diet, nutrition, and physical activity, sun safety, and cancer screening. Although many apps relating to the prevention of cancer and other chronic diseases are available from major mobile phone platforms, relatively few have been tested in research studies to determine their efficacy. OBJECTIVE In this paper, we discuss issues related to the development and testing of new apps for preventing cancer through smoking cessation, sun safety, and other healthy behaviors, including key methodologic issues and outstanding challenges. METHODS An exploratory literature review was conducted using bibliographic searches in PubMed and CINAHL with relevant search terms (eg, smartphones, smoking cessation, cancer prevention, cancer screening, and carcinogens) to identify papers published in English through October 2015. RESULTS Only 4 randomized controlled trials of the use of mobile phone apps for smoking cessation and 2 trials of apps for sun safety were identified, indicating that it is premature to conduct a systematic search and meta-analysis of the published literature on this topic. CONCLUSIONS Future studies should utilize randomized controlled trial research designs, larger sample sizes, and longer study periods to better establish the cancer prevention and control capabilities of mobile phone apps. In developing new and refined apps for cancer prevention and control, both health literacy and eHealth literacy should be taken into account. There is a need for culturally appropriate, tailored health messages to increase knowledge and awareness of health behaviors such as smoking cessation, cancer screening, and sun safety. Mobile phone apps are likely to be a useful and low-cost intervention for preventing cancer through behavioral changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven Coughlin
- University of Massachusetts Lowell, Department of Community Health and Sustainability, Lowell, MA, United States.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Adams SV, Shafer MM, Bonner MR, LaCroix AZ, Manson JE, Meliker JR, Neuhouser ML, Newcomb PA. Urinary Cadmium and Risk of Invasive Breast Cancer in the Women's Health Initiative. Am J Epidemiol 2016; 183:815-23. [PMID: 27037269 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwv285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cadmium is a widespread heavy metal pollutant that may act as an exogenous estrogenic hormone. Environmental cadmium exposure has been associated with risk of breast cancer in retrospective studies. We prospectively assessed the relationship between cadmium exposure, evaluated by creatinine-normalized urinary cadmium concentration, and invasive breast cancer among 12,701 postmenopausal women aged ≥50 years in a Women's Health Initiative study of bone mineral density. After a median of 13.2 years of follow-up (1993-2010), 508 cases of invasive breast cancer and 1,050 comparison women were identified for a case-cohort analysis. Multivariable Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Risk of breast cancer was not associated with urinary cadmium parameterized either in quartiles (comparing highest quartile with lowest, hazard ratio = 0.80, 95% confidence interval: 0.56, 1.14; P for trend = 0.20) or as a log-transformed continuous variable (per 2-fold higher urinary cadmium concentration, hazard ratio = 0.94, 95% confidence interval: 0.86, 1.03). We did not observe an association between urinary cadmium and breast cancer risk in any subgroup examined, including never smokers and women with body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)(2)) less than 25. Results were consistent in both estrogen receptor-positive and estrogen receptor-negative tumors. Our results do not support the hypothesis that environmental cadmium exposure is associated with risk of postmenopausal breast cancer.
Collapse
|
9
|
Golozar A, Etemadi A, Kamangar F, Malekshah AF, Islami F, Nasrollahzadeh D, Abedi-Ardekani B, Khosnia M, Pourshams A, Semnani S, Marjani HA, Shakeri R, Sotoudeh M, Brennan P, Taylor P, Boffetta P, Abnet C, Dawsey S, Malekzadeh R. Food preparation methods, drinking water source, and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in the high-risk area of Golestan, Northeast Iran. Eur J Cancer Prev 2016; 25:123-9. [PMID: 25851181 PMCID: PMC5759050 DOI: 10.1097/cej.0000000000000156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cooking practices and water sources have been associated with an increased risk of cancer, mainly through exposure to carcinogens such as heterocyclic amines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and nitrates. Using data from the Golestan case-control study, carried out between 2003 and 2007 in a high-risk region for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), we sought to investigate the association between food preparation and drinking water sources and ESCC. Information on food preparation methods, sources of drinking water, and dietary habits was gathered from 300 cases and 571 controls matched individually for age, sex, and neighborhood using a structured questionnaire and a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Multivariate conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) adjusted for potential confounders and other known risk factors including socioeconomic status and smoking. More than 95% of the participants reported eating meat, mostly red meat. Red meat consumption above the 75th percentile increased the odds of ESCC by 2.82-fold (95% CI: 1.21-6.57). Fish intake was associated with a significant 68% decrease in ESCC odds (26%, 86%). Among meat eaters, ORs (95% CI) for frying meat (red or white) and fish were 3.34 (1.32-8.45) and 2.62 (1.24-5.5). Drinking unpiped water increased ESCC odds by 4.25 times (2.23-8.11). The OR for each 10-year increase in the duration of drinking unpiped water was 1.47 (1.22-1.78). Our results suggest roles for red meat intake, drinking water source, and food preparation methods in ESCC, even after adjusting for a large number of potential confounders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Asieh Golozar
- Digestive Disease Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Arash Etemadi
- Digestive Disease Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Farin Kamangar
- Digestive Disease Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- School of Community Health and Policy, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Akbar Fazeltabar Malekshah
- Digestive Disease Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farhad Islami
- Digestive Disease Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- The Tisch Cancer Institute and Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Dariush Nasrollahzadeh
- Digestive Disease Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Medical epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Behnoosh Abedi-Ardekani
- Digestive Disease Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Masoud Khosnia
- Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Gorgan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Akram Pourshams
- Digestive Disease Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahriar Semnani
- Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Gorgan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Haji Amin Marjani
- Digestive Disease Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Gorgan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Ramin Shakeri
- Digestive Disease Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoud Sotoudeh
- Digestive Disease Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Paul Brennan
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Philip Taylor
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Paolo Boffetta
- The Tisch Cancer Institute and Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, USA
- International Prevention Research Institute, Lyon, France
| | - Christian Abnet
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sanford Dawsey
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Reza Malekzadeh
- Digestive Disease Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ceccaroli C, Pulliero A, Geretto M, Izzotti A. Molecular fingerprints of environmental carcinogens in human cancer. J Environ Sci Health C Environ Carcinog Ecotoxicol Rev 2015; 33:188-228. [PMID: 26023758 DOI: 10.1080/10590501.2015.1030491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Identification of specific molecular changes (fingerprints) is important to identify cancer etiology. Exploitable biomarkers are related to DNA, epigenetics, and proteins. DNA adducts are the turning point between environmental exposures and biological damage. DNA mutational fingerprints are induced by carcinogens in tumor suppressor and oncogenes. In an epigenetic domain, methylation changes occurs in specific genes for arsenic, benzene, chromium, and cigarette smoke. Alteration of specific microRNA has been reported for environmental carcinogens. Benzo(a)pyrene, cadmium, coal, and wood dust hits specific heat-shock proteins and metalloproteases. The multiple analysis of these biomarkers provides information on the carcinogenic mechanisms activated by exposure to environmental carcinogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Ceccaroli
- a Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa , Italy
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer-related deaths in humans worldwide. Environmental factors play an important role in the epidemiology of these cancers. Rodents are the most common experimental model to study human lung cancers and are frequently used in bioassays to identify environmental exposure hazards associated with lung cancer. Lung tumors in rodents are common, particularly in certain strains of mice. Rodent lung tumors are predominantly bronchioloalveolar carcinomas and usually follow a progressive continuum of hyperplasia to adenoma to carcinoma. Human lung cancers are phenotypically more diverse and broadly constitute 2 types: small cell lung cancers and nonsmall cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). Rodent lung tumors resulting from exposure to environmental agents are comparable with certain adenocarcinomas that are a subset of human NSCLCs. Human pulmonary carcinomas differ from rodent lung tumors by exhibiting greater morphologic heterogeneity (encompassing squamous cell, neuroendocrine, mucinous, sarcomatoid, and multiple cell combinations), higher metastatic rate, higher stromal response, aggressive clinical behavior, and lack of a clear continuum of proliferative lesions. In spite of these differences, rodent lung tumors recapitulate several fundamental aspects of human lung tumor biology at the morphologic and molecular level, especially in lung cancers resulting from exposure to environmental carcinogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arun Pandiri
- Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc., Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Adams SV, Newcomb PA, White E. Dietary cadmium and risk of invasive postmenopausal breast cancer in the VITAL cohort. Cancer Causes Control 2012; 23:845-54. [PMID: 22527162 PMCID: PMC3375316 DOI: 10.1007/s10552-012-9953-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2011] [Accepted: 04/03/2012] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of the study was to estimate the association between dietary intake of cadmium, a carcinogenic heavy metal, and risk of invasive postmenopausal breast cancer. METHODS Study subjects were 30,543 postmenopausal women in the VITamins And Lifestyle (VITAL) cohort who completed a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) at baseline (2000-2002). Dietary cadmium consumption was estimated by combining FFQ responses with US Food and Drug Administration data on food cadmium content. Incidence of invasive breast cancer was ascertained through linkage of the cohort to the western Washington Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registry through 31 December 2009. Cox regression was applied to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for breast cancer with increasing dietary cadmium intake, adjusted for total energy intake, smoking history, consumption of vegetables, potatoes, and whole grains, multivitamin use, education, race, body mass index, physical activity, age at first birth, postmenopausal hormone use, and mammography. RESULTS Vegetables and grains together contributed an average of 66 % of estimated dietary cadmium. During a mean of 7.5 years of follow-up, 1,026 invasive postmenopausal breast cancers were identified. Among 899 cases with complete covariate information, no evidence of an association between dietary cadmium intake and breast cancer risk was observed (aHR (95 % CI), highest to lowest quartile cadmium: 1.00 (0.72-1.41), p (trend) = 0.95). No evidence was found for interactions between dietary cadmium and breast cancer risk factors, smoking habits, or total intake of calcium, iron, or zinc from diet, supplements, and multivitamins. CONCLUSIONS This study does not support the hypothesis that dietary cadmium intake is a risk factor for breast cancer. However, non-differential measurement error in the estimate of cadmium intake is likely the most important factor that could have obscured an association.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scott V Adams
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Cancer Prevention Program, 1100 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Warner M, Mocarelli P, Samuels S, Needham L, Brambilla P, Eskenazi B. Dioxin exposure and cancer risk in the Seveso Women's Health Study. Environ Health Perspect 2011; 119:1700-5. [PMID: 21810551 PMCID: PMC3261987 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1103720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2011] [Accepted: 08/02/2011] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD), a widespread environmental contaminant, disrupts multiple endocrine pathways. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified TCDD as a known human carcinogen, based on predominantly male occupational studies of increased mortality from all cancers combined. OBJECTIVES After a chemical explosion on 10 July 1976 in Seveso, Italy, residents experienced some of the highest levels of TCDD exposure in a human population. In 1996, we initiated the Seveso Women's Health Study (SWHS), a retrospective cohort study of the reproductive health of the women. We previously reported a significant increased risk for breast cancer and a nonsignificant increased risk for all cancers combined with individual serum TCDD, but the cohort averaged only 40 years of age in 1996. Herein we report results for risk of cancer from a subsequent follow-up of the cohort in 2008. METHODS In 1996, we enrolled 981 women who were 0-40 years of age in 1976, lived in the most contaminated areas, and had archived sera collected near the explosion. Individual TCDD concentration was measured in archived serum by high-resolution mass spectrometry. A total of 833 women participated in the 2008 follow-up study. We examined the relation of serum TCDD with cancer incidence using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS In total, 66 (6.7%) women had been diagnosed with cancer. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) associated with a 10-fold increase in serum TCDD for all cancers combined was significantly increased [adjusted HR = 1.80; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.29, 2.52]. For breast cancer, the HR was increased, but not significantly (adjusted HR = 1.44; 95% CI: 0.89, 2.33). CONCLUSIONS Individual serum TCDD is significantly positively related with all cancer incidence in the SWHS cohort, more than 30 years later. This all-female study adds to the epidemiologic evidence that TCDD is a multisite carcinogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Warner
- Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health, School of Public Health, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Cantone L, Nordio F, Hou L, Apostoli P, Bonzini M, Tarantini L, Angelici L, Bollati V, Zanobetti A, Schwartz J, Bertazzi PA, Baccarelli A. Inhalable metal-rich air particles and histone H3K4 dimethylation and H3K9 acetylation in a cross-sectional study of steel workers. Environ Health Perspect 2011; 119:964-9. [PMID: 21385672 PMCID: PMC3222996 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1002955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2010] [Accepted: 03/08/2011] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiology investigations have linked exposure to ambient and occupational air particulate matter (PM) with increased risk of lung cancer. PM contains carcinogenic and toxic metals, including arsenic and nickel, which have been shown in in vitro studies to induce histone modifications that activate gene expression by inducing open-chromatin states. Whether inhalation of metal components of PM induces histone modifications in human subjects is undetermined. OBJECTIVES We investigated whether the metal components of PM determined activating histone modifications in 63 steel workers with well-characterized exposure to metal-rich PM. METHODS We determined histone 3 lysine 4 dimethylation (H3K4me2) and histone 3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9ac) on histones from blood leukocytes. Exposure to inhalable metal components (aluminum, manganese, nickel, zinc, arsenic, lead, iron) and to total PM was estimated for each study subject. RESULTS Both H3K4me2 and H3K9ac increased in association with years of employment in the plant (p-trend = 0.04 and 0.006, respectively). H3K4me2 increased in association with air levels of nickel [β = 0.16; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.03-0.3], arsenic (β = 0.16; 95% CI, 0.02-0.3), and iron (β = 0.14; 95% CI, 0.01-0.26). H3K9ac showed nonsignificant positive associations with air levels of nickel (β = 0.24; 95% CI, -0.02 to 0.51), arsenic (β = 0.21; 95% CI, -0.06 to 0.48), and iron (β = 0.22; 95% CI, -0.03 to 0.47). Cumulative exposures to nickel and arsenic, defined as the product of years of employment by metal air levels, were positively correlated with both H3K4me2 (nickel: β = 0.16; 95% CI, 0.01-0.3; arsenic: β = 0.16; 95% CI, 0.03-0.29) and H3K9ac (nickel: β = 0.27; 95% CI, 0.01-0.54; arsenic: β = 0.28; 95% CI, 0.04-0.51). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate histone modifications as a novel epigenetic mechanism induced in human subjects by long-term exposure to inhalable nickel and arsenic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Cantone
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Università di Milano and Istituto Di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, and Maggiore Hospital, Mangiagalli and Regina Elena Foundation, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Kulich M, Reřicha V, Reřicha R, Shore DL, Sandler DP. Incidence of non-lung solid cancers in Czech uranium miners: a case-cohort study. Environ Res 2011; 111:400-405. [PMID: 21256480 PMCID: PMC3064710 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2011.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2010] [Revised: 12/21/2010] [Accepted: 01/10/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Uranium miners are chronically exposed to radon and its progeny, which are known to cause lung cancer and may be associated with leukemia. This study was undertaken to evaluate risk of non-lung solid cancers among uranium miners in Příbram region, Czech Republic. METHODS A retrospective stratified case-cohort study in a cohort of 22,816 underground miners who were employed between 1949 and 1975. All incident non-lung solid cancers were ascertained among miners who worked underground for at least 12 months (n=1020). A subcohort of 1707 subjects was randomly drawn from the same population by random sampling stratified on age. The follow-up period lasted from 1977 to 1996. RESULTS Relative risks comparing 180 WLM (90th percentile) of cumulative lifetime radon exposure to 3 WLM (10th percentile) were 0.88 for all non-lung solid cancers combined (95% CI 0.73-1.04, n=1020), 0.87 for all digestive cancers (95% CI 0.69-1.09, n=561), 2.39 for gallbladder cancer (95% CI 0.52-10.98, n=13), 0.79 for larynx cancer (95% CI 0.38-1.64, n=62), 2.92 for malignant melanoma (95% CI 0.91-9.42, n=23), 0.84 for bladder cancer (95% CI 0.43-1.65, n=73), and 1.13 for kidney cancer (95% CI 0.62-2.04, n=66). No cancer type was significantly associated with radon exposure; only malignant melanoma and gallbladder cancer showed elevated but non-significant association with radon. CONCLUSIONS Radon was not significantly associated with incidence of any cancer of interest, although a positive association of radon with malignant melanoma and gallbladder cancer cannot be entirely ruled out.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Kulich
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, Sokolovska 83, CZ-186 75 Praha 8, Czech Republic.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
van Leeuwen DM, Gottschalk RWH, Schoeters G, van Larebeke NA, Nelen V, Baeyens WF, Kleinjans JCS, van Delft JHM. Transcriptome analysis in peripheral blood of humans exposed to environmental carcinogens: a promising new biomarker in environmental health studies. Environ Health Perspect 2008; 116:1519-25. [PMID: 19057705 PMCID: PMC2592272 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.11401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2008] [Accepted: 06/23/2008] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human carcinogenesis is known to be initiated and/or promoted by exposure to chemicals that occur in the environment. Molecular cancer epidemiology is used to identify human environmental cancer risks by applying a range of effect biomarkers, which tend to be nonspecific and do not generate insights into underlying modes of action. Toxicogenomic technologies may improve on this by providing the opportunity to identify molecular biomarkers consisting of altered gene expression profiles. OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to monitor the expression of selected genes in a random sample of adults in Flanders selected from specific regions with (presumably) different environmental burdens. Furthermore, associations of gene expression with blood and urinary measures of biomarkers of exposure, early phenotypic effects, and tumor markers were investigated. RESULTS Individual gene expression of cytochrome p450 1B1, activating transcription factor 4, mitogen-activated protein kinase 14, superoxide dismutase 2 (Mn), chemokine (C-X-C motif) lig-and 1 (melanoma growth stimulating activity, alpha), diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase homolog 2 (mouse), tigger transposable element derived 3, and PTEN-induced putative kinase1 were measured by means of quantitative polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood cells of 398 individuals. After correction for the confounding effect of tobacco smoking, inhabitants of the Olen region showed the highest differences in gene expression levels compared with inhabitants from the Gent and fruit cultivation regions. Importantly, we observed multiple significant correlations of particular gene expressions with blood and urinary measures of various environmental carcinogens. CONCLUSIONS Considering the observed significant differences between gene expression levels in inhabitants of various regions in Flanders and the associations of gene expression with blood or urinary measures of environmental carcinogens, we conclude that gene expression profiling appears promising as a tool for biological monitoring in relation to environmental exposures in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danitsja M van Leeuwen
- Department of Health Risk Analysis and Toxicology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic polymorphisms in the human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase-1A7 (UGT1A7) gene are detected and significantly correlated with sporadic colorectal carcinoma. UGT1A7, which has recently been demonstrated to glucuronidate environmental carcinogens, is now implicated as a cancer risk gene. A silent mutation at codon 11 and missense mutations at codons 129, 131, and 208 lead to the description of three polymorphic alleles designated UGT1A7*2, UGT1A7*3, and UGT1A7*4. METHODS UGT1A7 polymorphisms were analysed by polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing, as well as temperature gradient gel electrophoresis in 210 healthy blood donors and 78 subjects with colorectal cancer. RESULTS Homozygous wild-type UGT1A7 alleles were present in 20% of normal controls but were only detected in 9% of patients with colorectal carcinoma (odds ratio (OR) 0.39 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17-0.92); p=0.03). Analysis of individual polymorphic alleles identified a highly significant association between the presence of UGT1A7*3 alleles and colorectal cancer (OR 2.75 (95% CI 1.6 - 4.71); p<0.001). Recombinant expression of UGT1A7 polymorphic cDNA in eukaryotic cell culture showed reduced carcinogen glucuronidation activity in comparison with wild-type UGT1A7. UGT1A7 may therefore represent a modifier gene in colorectal carcinogenesis. CONCLUSION We have identified a potential novel risk factor in sporadic colorectal cancer which may contribute to the identification of risk groups and to the elucidation of factors involved in colon carcinogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C P Strassburg
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Affiliation(s)
- I L P Beales
- School of Medicine, Health Policy and Practice, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
|