Malignant transformation induced by environmental substances in several types of experimental cancer

The interaction of chemical carcinogens with healthy cells associated with exogenous hormones can induce genomic damage and subsequently cause cancer with the ability of metastasize other tissues. The carcinogenesis process needs several mutational events to produce damage to the genome, and subsequent cell proliferation of these injured cells. DNA damage can be the result of interactions with exogenous agents such as chemical carcinogens. Examples are the organophosphorous pesticides that are chemical substances synthesized by men and mainly used for pest control in agriculture and residential urban surroundings. On the other hand, the estrogen 17β-estradiol is an endogenous hormone present in women that influences development, control of ovulation, implantation, fertilization and metabolism of minerals, carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. The production of endogenous estrogen ceases with menopause and there is a controversy concerning its use in hormone replacement therapy. There is strong epidemiological and clinical evidence that estrogens play a role in the induction, promotion and progression of a variety of cancers in target organs of rat, mice and hamster. Other studies have associated estrogen administration to postmenopausal women with an increased risk of endometrial and breast cancer. It will be of interest to put together information in relation to this subject in different types of cancers and the future avenue to understand mechanism to obtain new treatments.

25/07/2025