Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-9-2023
Abstract
Context
One in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Yet, the burden of disease is greater in Black women. Black women have a 40% higher mortality rate than White women, and a higher incidence of breast cancer at age 40 and younger. While the underlying cause of this disparity is multifactorial, exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in hair and other personal care products has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Parabens are known EDCs that are commonly used as preservatives in hair and other personal care products, and Black women are disproportionately exposed to products containing parabens.
Objective
Studies have shown that parabens impact breast cancer cell proliferation, death, migration/invasion, and metabolism, as well as gene expression in vitro. However, these studies were conducted using cell lines of European ancestry; to date, no studies have utilized breast cancer cell lines of West African ancestry to examine the effects of parabens on breast cancer progression. Like breast cancer cell lines with European ancestry, we hypothesize that parabens promote protumorigenic effects in breast cancer cell lines of West African ancestry.
Methods
Luminal breast cancer cell lines with West African ancestry (HCC1500) and European ancestry (MCF-7) were treated with biologically relevant doses of methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben.
Results
Following treatment, estrogen receptor target gene expression and cell viability were examined. We observed altered estrogen receptor target gene expression and cell viability that was paraben and cell line specific.
Conclusion
This study provides greater insight into the tumorigenic role of parabens in the progression of breast cancer in Black women.
Recommended Citation
Tapia JL, McDonough JC, Cauble EL, Gonzalez CG, Teteh DK, Treviño LS. Parabens promote protumorigenic effects in luminal breast cancer cell lines with diverse genetic ancestry. J Endocr Soc. 2023;7(8):bvad080, https://doi.org/10.1210/jendso/bvad080
Peer Reviewed
1
Copyright
The authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Included in
Cancer Biology Commons, Chemical Actions and Uses Commons, Medicine and Health Commons, Oncology Commons, Other Chemicals and Drugs Commons, Race and Ethnicity Commons, Women's Health Commons
Comments
This article was originally published in Journal of the Endocrine Society, volume 7, issue 8, in 2023. https://doi.org/10.1210/jendso/bvad080