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Titus L, Hatch EE, Bertrand KA, Palmer JR, Strohsnitter WC, Huo D, Curry M, Hyer M, Aagaard K, Gierach GL, Troisi R. Benign and Malignant Outcomes in the Offspring of Females Exposed In Utero to Diethylstilbestrol (DES): An Update from the NCI Third Generation Study. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2575. [PMID: 39061214 PMCID: PMC11274475 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16142575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Females exposed prenatally to diethylstilbestrol (DES) have an elevated risk of cervical dysplasia, breast cancer, and clear cell adenocarcinoma (CCA) of the cervix/vagina. Testicular cancer risk is increased in prenatally exposed males. Epigenetic changes may mediate the transmission of DES effects to the next ("third") generation of offspring. METHODS Using data self-reported by third-generation females, we assessed DES in relation to the risk of cancer and benign breast and reproductive tract conditions. Using data from prenatally DES-exposed and unexposed mothers, we assessed DES in relation to cancer risk in their female and male offspring. Cancer risk was assessed by standardized incidence ratios (SIR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI); the risks of benign and malignant diagnoses were assessed by hazard ratios (HR) and 95% CI. RESULTS In self-reported data, DES exposure was not associated with an increased risk of overall cancer (HR 0.83; CI 0.36-1.90), breast cancer, or severe cervical dysplasia. No females reported CCA. The risk of borderline ovarian cancer appeared elevated, but the HR was imprecise (3.46; CI 0.37-32.42). Based on mothers' reports, DES exposure did not increase the risk of overall cancer (HR 0.80; CI 0.49-1.32) or of other cancers in third-generation females. Overall cancer risk in exposed males appeared elevated (HR 1.41; CI 0.70-2.86), but the CI was wide. The risk of testicular cancer was not elevated in exposed males; no cases of prostate cancer were reported. CONCLUSIONS To date, there is little evidence that DES is associated with cancer risk in third-generation females or males, but these individuals are relatively young, and further follow-up is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Titus
- Department of Pediatrics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, and the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA;
| | - Elizabeth E. Hatch
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA;
| | - Kimberly A. Bertrand
- Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA (J.R.P.)
| | - Julie R. Palmer
- Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA (J.R.P.)
| | - William C. Strohsnitter
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA;
| | - Dezheng Huo
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Michael Curry
- Information Management Services, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Marianne Hyer
- Information Management Services, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Kjersti Aagaard
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77401, USA
| | - Gretchen L. Gierach
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | - Rebecca Troisi
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
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Aquino AM, Fioretto MN, Alonso-Costa LG, Rocha VA, Souza PV, Magosso N, Barbisan LF, Justulin LA, Flaws JA, Scarano WR. In silico investigation of the role of miRNAs in a possible developmental origin of prostate cancer in F1 and F2 offspring of mothers exposed to a phthalate mixture. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024; 39:3523-3536. [PMID: 38465474 DOI: 10.1002/tox.24181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
A previous study using miRNA sequencing revealed that exposure to a mixture of phthalates during pregnancy and lactation dysregulated rno-miR-184 and rno-miR-141-3p in the ventral prostate (VP) of offspring. Here, rno-miR-184 and rno-miR-141-3 expressions were obtained by RT-qPCR in the VP of F1 males as well as in F2 offspring, aiming to establish a relationship with possible oncogenic targets through in silico analyses with multigenerational approach. Additionally, some targets were measured by western blots to highlight a possible relationship between the deregulated miRNAs and some of their targets. VP samples from rats exposed to a mixture of phthalates maternally during pregnancy and lactation (GD10 to PND21-F1) and VP from offspring (F2) were examined. The phthalate mixture at both concentrations (20 μg and 200 mg/kg/day) increased the expression of both miRNAs in the F1 (PND22 and 120) and F2 (descendants of F1-treated males) prostate. Target prediction analysis revealed that both microRNAs are responsible for modulating the expression and synthesis of 40 common targets. A phthalate target association analysis and the HPA database showed an interesting relationship among these possible miRNAs modulated targets with prostate adenocarcinoma and other oncogenic processes. Western blots showed alteration in P63, P53, WNT5, and STAT3 expression, which are targeted by the miRNAs, in the VP of F1/F2 males. The data draw attention to the epigenetic modulation in the prostate of descendants exposed to phthalates and adds to one of the few currently found in the literature to point to microRNAs signature as biomarkers of exposure to plasticizers.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Aquino
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M N Fioretto
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L G Alonso-Costa
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - V A Rocha
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - P V Souza
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - N Magosso
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L F Barbisan
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L A Justulin
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - J A Flaws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - W R Scarano
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
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The Emerging Role of Epigenetics in Metabolism and Endocrinology. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12020256. [PMID: 36829533 PMCID: PMC9953656 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Each cell in a multicellular organism has its own phenotype despite sharing the same genome. Epigenetics is a somatic, heritable pattern of gene expression or cellular phenotype mediated by structural changes in chromatin that occur without altering the DNA sequence. Epigenetic modification is an important factor in determining the level and timing of gene expression in response to endogenous and exogenous stimuli. There is also growing evidence concerning the interaction between epigenetics and metabolism. Accordingly, several enzymes that consume vital metabolites as substrates or cofactors are used during the catalysis of epigenetic modification. Therefore, altered metabolism might lead to diseases and pathogenesis, including endocrine disorders and cancer. In addition, it has been demonstrated that epigenetic modification influences the endocrine system and immune response-related pathways. In this regard, epigenetic modification may impact the levels of hormones that are important in regulating growth, development, reproduction, energy balance, and metabolism. Altering the function of the endocrine system has negative health consequences. Furthermore, endocrine disruptors (EDC) have a significant impact on the endocrine system, causing the abnormal functioning of hormones and their receptors, resulting in various diseases and disorders. Overall, this review focuses on the impact of epigenetics on the endocrine system and its interaction with metabolism.
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Gaspari L, Soyer-Gobillard MO, Rincheval N, Paris F, Kalfa N, Hamamah S, Sultan C. Birth Outcomes in DES Children and Grandchildren: A Multigenerational National Cohort Study on Informative Families. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2542. [PMID: 36767903 PMCID: PMC9915936 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Diethylstilbestrol (DES), a potent synthetic nonsteroidal estrogen belonging to the family of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), can cross the placenta and may cause permanent adverse health effects in the exposed mothers, their children (exposed in utero), and also their grandchildren through germline contribution to the zygote. This study evaluated pregnancy duration and birthweight (BW) variations in the children and grandchildren born before, during, and after maternal DES treatment in the same informative families, to rule out genetic, endocrine, and environmental factors. DESIGN AND SETTING Nationwide retrospective observational study on 529 families of DES-treated women registered at the HHORAGES-France Association. The inclusion criteria were: (i) women with at least three pregnancies and three viable children among whom the first was not exposed in utero to DES, followed by one or more children with fetal exposure to DES, and then by one or more children born after DES treatment; (ii) women with at least one pre-DES or post-DES grandchild and one DES grandchild; (iii) confirmed data on total DES dose. Women with severe pathologies or whose illness status, habitat, lifestyle habits, profession, treatment changed between pregnancies, and all mothers who reported pregnancy-related problems, were excluded. RESULTS In all, 74 women met all criteria. The preterm birth (PTB) rate was 2.7% in pre-DES, 14.9% in DES, and 10.8% in post-DES children (Cochran-Armitage test for trend, p = 0.0095). The mean BW was higher in DES than pre-DES full-term neonates (≥37 weeks of gestation) (p = 0.007). In grandchildren, BW was not different, whereas the PTB and low BW rates were slightly increased in children of DES women. CONCLUSIONS These data within the same informative families show the DES impact on BW and PTB in DES and post-DES children and grandchildren. In particular, mean BW was higher in DES than pre-DES full-term neonates. This result may be in opposition to previous data from American cohorts, which reported lower BW in DES children, but is consistent with animal study. Our retrospective observational study highlights a multigenerational and likely transgenerational effect of this EDC in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Gaspari
- CHU Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, Unité d’Endocrinologie-Gynécologie Pédiatrique, Service de Pédiatrie, 34295 Montpellier, France
- CHU Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, Centre de Référence Maladies Rares du Développement Génital, Constitutif Sud, Hôpital Lapeyronie, 34295 Montpellier, France
- Université de Montpellier, INSERM 1203, DEFE, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | | | - Nathalie Rincheval
- Equipe de Recherche AESIO SANTE, Clinique Beausoleil, 34070 Montpellier, France
| | - Françoise Paris
- CHU Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, Unité d’Endocrinologie-Gynécologie Pédiatrique, Service de Pédiatrie, 34295 Montpellier, France
- CHU Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, Centre de Référence Maladies Rares du Développement Génital, Constitutif Sud, Hôpital Lapeyronie, 34295 Montpellier, France
- Université de Montpellier, INSERM 1203, DEFE, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Nicolas Kalfa
- CHU Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, Centre de Référence Maladies Rares du Développement Génital, Constitutif Sud, Hôpital Lapeyronie, 34295 Montpellier, France
- CHU Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, Département de Chirurgie Pédiatrique, Hôpital Lapeyronie, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Samir Hamamah
- Université de Montpellier, INSERM 1203, DEFE, 34295 Montpellier, France
- CHU Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, Service de Biologie de la Reproduction, 34295 Montpellier, France
| | - Charles Sultan
- CHU Montpellier, Université de Montpellier, Unité d’Endocrinologie-Gynécologie Pédiatrique, Service de Pédiatrie, 34295 Montpellier, France
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