Carcinogenesis and its modification by environmental endocrine disruptors: in vivo experimental and epidemiological findings

Abstract

Although a great deal of concern has been raised about the hazard potential of endocrine disruptors present in the environment, the in vivo data available from both experimental and epidemiological studies suggest that the majority of those agents do not pose a risk with regard to cancer development. Indeed, naturally occurring examples such as isoflavonoids even appear to exert protective effects. Only for xenobiotics such as 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and tetrachloro-p-dioxin (TCDD) and special cases of phenols and phthalates is there unequivocal evidence of carcinogenicity and this appears to be directly linked to their toxicity. Thus, careful in vivo assessment is required before drawing any conclusions regarding agents capable of affecting the mammalian endocrine system.