Signs of carcinogenicity induced by parathion, malathion, and estrogen in human breast epithelial cells (Review)

Abstract

Cancer development is a multistep process that may be induced by a variety of compounds. Environmental substances, such as pesticides, have been associated with different human diseases. Organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) are among the most commonly used insecticides. Despite the fact that organophosphorus has been associated with an increased risk of cancer, particularly hormone-mediated cancer, few prospective studies have examined the use of individual insecticides. Reported results have demonstrated that OPs and estrogen induce a cascade of events indicative of the transformation of human breast epithelial cells. In vitro studies analyzing an immortalized non-tumorigenic human breast epithelial cell line may provide us with an approach to analyzing cell transformation under the effects of OPs in the presence of estrogen. The results suggested hormone-mediated effects of these insecticides on the risk of cancer among women. It can be concluded that, through experimental models, the initiation of cancer can be studied by analyzing the steps that transform normal breast cells to malignant ones through certain substances, such as pesticides and estrogen. Such substances cause genomic instability, and therefore tumor formation in the animal, and signs of carcinogenesis in vitro. Cancer initiation has been associated with an increase in genomic instability, indicated by the inactivation of tumor-suppressor genes and activation of oncogenes in the presence of malathion, parathion, and estrogen. In the present study, a comprehensive summary of the impact of OPs in human and rat breast cancer, specifically their effects on the cell cycle, signaling pathways linked to epidermal growth factor, drug metabolism, and genomic instability in an MCF-10F estrogen receptor-negative breast cell line is provided.

Farmers’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions Regarding Carcinogenic Pesticides in Fez Meknes Region (Morocco)

“…IARC classified some of these pesticides such as Glyphosate, Malathion, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), and Chlorothalonil, as probable or possible human carcinogens [45,70]. A recent study has shown that in the presence of Malathion, the initiation and progression of cancer have been correlated with an increase in genomic instability and therefore the formation of tumors in animals, and signs of carcinogenesis in vitro [71]. Moreover, about 57 cancer-associated genes related to the growth and differentiation of B and T cells, immunoglobulin production, tumor suppression, and oncogenes were induced by Malathion [72].…”

Epstein–Barr Virus Association with Breast Cancer: Evidence and Perspectives

“…The authors proposed that EBV presence affects the response of BC cells to nicotine [ 103 ]. In addition, it has been shown that organophosphate pesticides such as malathion or parathion are related to BC by in vitro and in vivo approaches [ 104 , 105 , 106 ]. Notably, it was reported that chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate pesticide, can promote EBV lytic cycle activation by promoting BZLF1 expression by oxidative stress in a lymphoblastoid cell line.…”

Brief research report pesticide occupational exposure leads to significant inflammatory changes in normal mammary breast tissue

“…Evidence suggests that exposure of non-tumor mammary cells to pesticides results in cancer precursor lesions by altering the expression profile of genes linked to oncogenesis ( 19 ).…”