The Influence of Environmental Exposure to Xenoestrogens on the Risk of Cancer Development

Abstract

Xenoestrogens (XEs) are a group of exogenous substances that may interfere with the functioning of the endocrine system. They may mimic the function of estrogens, and their sources are plants, water or dust, plastic, chemical agents, and some drugs. Thus, people are highly exposed to their actions. Together with the development of industry, the number of XEs in our environment increases. They interact directly with estrogen receptors, disrupting the transmission of cellular signals. It is proven that XEs exhibit clinical application in e.g., menopause hormone therapy, but some studies observed that intense exposure to XEs leads to the progression of various cancers. Moreover, these substances exhibit the ability to cross the placental barrier, therefore, prenatal exposure may disturb fetus development. Due to the wide range of effects resulting from the biological activity of these substances, there is a need for this knowledge to be systematized. This review aims to comprehensively assess the environmental sources of XEs and their role in increasing cancer risk, focusing on current evidence of their biological and pathological impacts.

Keywords: environmental exposure; estrogens; isoflavones; pesticides; xenoestrogens.

Figure 1

Representative classification of various types of xenoestrogens (XEs), including phytoestrogens, pesticides, phenols, mycoestrogens, and metalloestrogens. Each category divisions into specific compounds, highlighting the diversity of XEs sources and their potential impact on biological systems (created by https://whimsical.com/, accessed on 6 November 2024).

Figure 2

A schematic diagram illustrating the molecular pathway by which XEs exposure may lead to carcinogenesis. The diagram shows the interaction of xenoestrogens with cellular receptors, activation of signal transduction pathways, subsequent gene expression changes, and cellular outcomes, which collectively contribute to potential cancer development (prepared by using https://whimsical.com/, accessed on 6 November 2024).