Disruption of hormonal balance and the potential development of cancer - the impact of endocrine disruptors.

Background

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) constitute a heterogeneous group of substances capable of interfering with hormonal regulation and thereby influencing the risk of initiation and progression of hormone-sensitive cancers. Their mechanisms of action include interactions with hormone receptors, modulation of hormone synthesis and metabolism, epigenetic alterations, and activation of specific signalling pathways. In recent years, the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework has gained prominence, as it enables linking molecular initiating events affected by EDCs to clinical outcomes, including carcinogenesis. An important role play thyroid hormones, which regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and metabolism across tissues, and their deregulation by EDCs at multiple levels may influence the development of various cancer types.

Objective

The aim of this article is to summarise current knowledge on the main mechanisms of endocrine disruption that can influence cancer initiation and progression, and to highlight the relevance of the AOP framework for predicting risks associated with EDC exposure. The objective also includes drawing attention to the major groups of EDCs whose exposure has been associated with an increased risk of hormone-sensitive cancers, as well as their sources.

Conclusion

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals to which people are commonly exposed may represent an important factor affecting hormonal balance and the potential development of cancer. Understanding their molecular mechanisms of action is essential for risk assessment and the formulation of preventive strategies. The AOP framework offers a promising tool for linking mechanistic data with clinical consequences and for predicting the carcinogenic potential of these substances.