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Cancers
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Environmental Carcinogenesis
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Environmental Carcinogenesis

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Pathophysiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2022) | Viewed by 31508

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Sonika Patial

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
Interests: environmental carcinogenesis; RNA binding proteins; inflammation; macrophages; immunopathology; alcohol-induced liver injury; toxicogenomics
Prof. Dr. Sonja M. Kessler

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Experimental Pharmacology for Natural Sciences, Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle, Germany
Interests: non-alcoholic steatohepatitis; gastrointestinal cancers; RNA-binding proteins

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Environmental and occupational exposures to a wide range of physical, chemical, or biological agents have been associated with an increased risk of cancer. Exposure to these agents can occur through the air that we breathe, the water that we drink, the food that we eat, or our lifestyle choices. Common examples from the environment include ultraviolet radiation, aflatoxins, arsenic, and radon. Similarly, several industrial chemicals such as asbestos, wood dust, coal tar products, vinyl chloride, formaldehyde, benzene, and cadmium are potential carcinogens. Based on scientific evidence, a list of potential such human carcinogens have been developed by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). These agents possess the ability to interact with our genome in multiple ways and can affect cancer initiation, progression, and aggression. For instance, these agents can induce genetic and epigenetic alternations in host tissues, resulting in aberrant expression and function of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. These cellular and molecular events can cause alteration of cellular functions, including cellular proliferation, stress responses, and DNA repair mechanisms, thus promoting tumorigenesis.

This Special Issue invites review and original research articles on environmental carcinogenesis particularly focused on the mechanisms of interaction of environmental carcinogens with the host genome, novel biomarkers to assess these exposures, methods for prevention and early detection, cancer disparities, and determining how cumulative exposures to environmental carcinogens during one’s lifetime can affect cancer risk.

Dr. Sonika Patial
Prof. Dr. Sonja M. Kessler
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cancers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • environmental carcinogen
  • occupational chemicals, air pollution
  • radiation
  • cancer pathogenesis
  • carcinogenic risk
  • polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
  • radon, arsenic
  • asbestos
  • vinyl chloride
  • metals

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 614 KiB  
Article
Randomized Crossover Trial Evaluating Detoxification of Tobacco Carcinogens by Broccoli Seed and Sprout Extract in Current Smokers
by Julie E. Bauman, Chiu-Hsieh Hsu, Sara Centuori, Jose Guillen-Rodriguez, Linda L. Garland, Emily Ho, Megha Padi, Vignesh Bageerathan, Lisa Bengtson, Malgorzata Wojtowicz, Eva Szabo and H.-H. Sherry Chow
Cancers 2022, 14(9), 2129; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14092129 - 24 Apr 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2545
Abstract
Consumption of cruciferous vegetables, rich in the isothiocyanate glucoraphanin, is associated with reduced risk of tobacco-related cancers. Sulforaphane, released by hydrolysis of glucoraphanin, potently induces cytoprotective phase II enzymes. Sulforaphane decreased the incidence of oral cancer in the 4NQO carcinogenesis model. In residents [...] Read more.
Consumption of cruciferous vegetables, rich in the isothiocyanate glucoraphanin, is associated with reduced risk of tobacco-related cancers. Sulforaphane, released by hydrolysis of glucoraphanin, potently induces cytoprotective phase II enzymes. Sulforaphane decreased the incidence of oral cancer in the 4NQO carcinogenesis model. In residents of Qidong, China, broccoli seed and sprout extracts (BSSE) increased detoxification of air pollutants benzene and acrolein, also found in tobacco smoke. This randomized, crossover trial evaluated detoxification of tobacco carcinogens by the BSSE Avmacol® in otherwise healthy smokers. Participants were treated for 2 weeks with both low and higher-dose BSSE (148 µmol vs. 296 µmol of glucoraphanin daily), separated by a 2-week washout, with randomization to low-high vs. high-low sequence. The primary endpoint was detoxification of benzene, measured by urinary excretion of its mercapturic acid, SPMA. Secondary endpoints included bioavailability, detoxification of acrolein and crotonaldehyde, modulation by GST genotype, and toxicity. Forty-nine participants enrolled, including 26 (53%) females with median use of 20 cigarettes/day. Low and higher-dose BSSE showed a mean bioavailability of 11% and 10%, respectively. Higher-dose BSSE significantly upregulated urinary excretion of the mercapturic acids of benzene (p = 0.04), acrolein (p < 0.01), and crotonaldehyde (p = 0.02), independent of GST genotype. Retention and compliance were high resulting in early study completion. In conclusion, BSSE significantly upregulated detoxification of the tobacco carcinogens benzene, acrolein, and crotonaldehyde in current tobacco smokers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Carcinogenesis)
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11 pages, 3157 KiB  
Article
Rare Occurrence of Aristolochic Acid Mutational Signatures in Oro-Gastrointestinal Tract Cancers
by Abner Herbert Lim, Jason Yongsheng Chan, Ming-Chin Yu, Tsung-Han Wu, Jing Han Hong, Cedric Chuan Young Ng, Zhen Jie Low, Wei Liu, Rajasegaran Vikneswari, Pin-Cheng Sung, Wen-Lang Fan, Bin Tean Teh and Sen-Yung Hsieh
Cancers 2022, 14(3), 576; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14030576 - 24 Jan 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2990
Abstract
Background: Aristolochic acids (AAs) are potent mutagens commonly found in herbal plant-based remedies widely used throughout Asian countries. Patients and Methods: To understand whether AA is involved in the tumorigenesis of the oro-gastrointestinal tract, we used whole-exome sequencing to profile 54 cases of [...] Read more.
Background: Aristolochic acids (AAs) are potent mutagens commonly found in herbal plant-based remedies widely used throughout Asian countries. Patients and Methods: To understand whether AA is involved in the tumorigenesis of the oro-gastrointestinal tract, we used whole-exome sequencing to profile 54 cases of four distinct types of oro-gastrointestinal tract cancer (OGITC) from Taiwan. Results: A diverse landscape of mutational signatures including those from DNA mismatch repair and reactive oxygen species was observed. APOBEC mutational signatures were observed in 60% of oral squamous cell carcinomas. Only one sample harbored AA mutational signatures, contradictory to prior reports of cancers from Taiwan. The metabolism of AA in the liver and urinary tract, transient exposure time, and high cell turnover rates at OGITC sites may explain our findings. Conclusion: AA signatures in OGITCs are rare and unlikely to be a major contributing factor in oro-gastrointestinal tract tumorigenesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Carcinogenesis)
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Review

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23 pages, 1435 KiB  
Review
How Does Environmental and Occupational Exposure Contribute to Carcinogenesis in Genitourinary and Lung Cancers?
by Massimiliano Cani, Fabio Turco, Simona Butticè, Ursula Maria Vogl, Consuelo Buttigliero, Silvia Novello and Enrica Capelletto
Cancers 2023, 15(10), 2836; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15102836 - 19 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2455
Abstract
Environmental and occupational exposures have been associated with an increased risk of different types of cancers, although the exact mechanisms of higher carcinogenesis risk are not always well understood. Lung cancer is the leading cause of global cancer mortality, and, also, genitourinary neoplasms [...] Read more.
Environmental and occupational exposures have been associated with an increased risk of different types of cancers, although the exact mechanisms of higher carcinogenesis risk are not always well understood. Lung cancer is the leading cause of global cancer mortality, and, also, genitourinary neoplasms are among the main causes of cancer-related deaths in Western countries. The purpose of this review is to describe the main environmental and occupational factors that increase the risk of developing lung and genitourinary cancers and to investigate carcinogenesis mechanisms that link these agents to cancer onset. Further objectives are to identify methods for the prevention or the early detection of carcinogenic agents and, therefore, to reduce the risk of developing these cancers or to detect them at earlier stages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Carcinogenesis)
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21 pages, 1058 KiB  
Review
Obesity and Cancer: A Current Overview of Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Outcomes, and Management
by Sukanya Pati, Wadeed Irfan, Ahmad Jameel, Shahid Ahmed and Rabia K. Shahid
Cancers 2023, 15(2), 485; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15020485 - 12 Jan 2023
Cited by 75 | Viewed by 11376
Abstract
Background: Obesity or excess body fat is a major global health challenge that has not only been associated with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease but is also a major risk factor for the development of and mortality related to a subgroup of cancer. [...] Read more.
Background: Obesity or excess body fat is a major global health challenge that has not only been associated with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease but is also a major risk factor for the development of and mortality related to a subgroup of cancer. This review focuses on epidemiology, the relationship between obesity and the risk associated with the development and recurrence of cancer and the management of obesity. Methods: A literature search using PubMed and Google Scholar was performed and the keywords ‘obesity’ and cancer’ were used. The search was limited to research papers published in English prior to September 2022 and focused on studies that investigated epidemiology, the pathogenesis of cancer, cancer incidence and the risk of recurrence, and the management of obesity. Results: About 4–8% of all cancers are attributed to obesity. Obesity is a risk factor for several major cancers, including post-menopausal breast, colorectal, endometrial, kidney, esophageal, pancreatic, liver, and gallbladder cancer. Excess body fat results in an approximately 17% increased risk of cancer-specific mortality. The relationship between obesity and the risk associated with the development of cancer and its recurrence is not fully understood and involves altered fatty acid metabolism, extracellular matrix remodeling, the secretion of adipokines and anabolic and sex hormones, immune dysregulation, and chronic inflammation. Obesity may also increase treatment-related adverse effects and influence treatment decisions regarding specific types of cancer therapy. Structured exercise in combination with dietary support and behavior therapy are effective interventions. Treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues and bariatric surgery result in more rapid weight loss and can be considered in selected cancer survivors. Conclusions: Obesity increases cancer risk and mortality. Weight-reducing strategies in obesity-associated cancers are important interventions as a key component of cancer care. Future studies are warranted to further elucidate the complex relationship between obesity and cancer with the identification of targets for effective interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Carcinogenesis)
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24 pages, 1825 KiB  
Review
Derivatives of Plastics as Potential Carcinogenic Factors: The Current State of Knowledge
by Jacek Baj, James Curtis Dring, Marcin Czeczelewski, Paweł Kozyra, Alicja Forma, Jolanta Flieger, Beata Kowalska, Grzegorz Buszewicz and Grzegorz Teresiński
Cancers 2022, 14(19), 4637; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14194637 - 24 Sep 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4614
Abstract
Micro- and nanoplatics have been already reported to be potential carcinogenic/mutagenic substances that might cause DNA damage, leading to carcinogenesis. Thus, the effects of micro- and nanoplastics exposure on human health are currently being investigated extensively to establish clear relationships between those substances [...] Read more.
Micro- and nanoplatics have been already reported to be potential carcinogenic/mutagenic substances that might cause DNA damage, leading to carcinogenesis. Thus, the effects of micro- and nanoplastics exposure on human health are currently being investigated extensively to establish clear relationships between those substances and health consequences. So far, it has been observed that there exists a definite correlation between exposure to micro- and nanoplastic particles and the onset of several cancers. Therefore, we have conducted research using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, searching for all the research papers devoted to cancers that could be potentially related to the subject of exposure to nano- and microplastics. Ultimately, in this paper, we have discussed several cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, biliary tract cancer, and some endocrine-related cancers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Carcinogenesis)
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25 pages, 1400 KiB  
Review
Proteases and HPV-Induced Carcinogenesis
by Gabriel Viliod Vieira, Fernanda Somera dos Santos, Ana Paula Lepique, Carol Kobori da Fonseca, Lara Maria Alencar Ramos Innocentini, Paulo Henrique Braz-Silva, Silvana Maria Quintana and Katiuchia Uzzun Sales
Cancers 2022, 14(13), 3038; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14133038 - 21 Jun 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3107
Abstract
Persistent infection with Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main etiologic factor for pre-malignant and malignant cervical lesions. Moreover, HPV is also associated with oropharynx and other anogenital carcinomas. Cancer-causing HPV viruses classified as group 1 carcinogens include 12 HPV types, with HPV 16 [...] Read more.
Persistent infection with Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main etiologic factor for pre-malignant and malignant cervical lesions. Moreover, HPV is also associated with oropharynx and other anogenital carcinomas. Cancer-causing HPV viruses classified as group 1 carcinogens include 12 HPV types, with HPV 16 and 18 being the most prevalent. High-risk HPVs express two oncoproteins, E6 and E7, the products of which are responsible for the inhibition of p53 and pRB proteins, respectively, in human keratinocytes and cellular immortalization. p53 and pRB are pleiotropic proteins that regulate the activity of several signaling pathways and gene expression. Among the important factors that are augmented in HPV-mediated carcinogenesis, proteases not only control processes involved in cellular carcinogenesis but also control the microenvironment. For instance, genetic polymorphisms of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) are associated with carcinoma invasiveness. Similarly, the serine protease inhibitors hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor-1 (HAI-1) and -2 (HAI-2) have been identified as prognostic markers for HPV-dependent cervical carcinomas. This review highlights the most crucial mechanisms involved in HPV-dependent carcinogenesis, and includes a section on the proteolytic cascades that are important for the progression of this disease and their impact on patient health, treatment, and survival. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Carcinogenesis)
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Other

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15 pages, 1245 KiB  
Systematic Review
Oral Microbiota—A New Frontier in the Pathogenesis and Management of Head and Neck Cancers
by Marjut Metsäniitty, Shrabon Hasnat, Tuula Salo and Abdelhakim Salem
Cancers 2022, 14(1), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14010046 - 23 Dec 2021
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3233
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) comprises the majority of tumors in head and neck tissues. The prognosis of HNSCC has not significantly improved for decades, signifying the need for new diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Recent evidence suggests that oral microbiota is [...] Read more.
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) comprises the majority of tumors in head and neck tissues. The prognosis of HNSCC has not significantly improved for decades, signifying the need for new diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Recent evidence suggests that oral microbiota is associated with carcinogenesis. Thus, we conducted a comprehensive systematic review to evaluate the current evidence regarding the role of oral microbiota in HNSCC and whether their targeting may confer diagnostic, prognostic or therapeutic utility. Following the screening of 233 publications retrieved from multiple databases, 34 eligible studies comprising 2469 patients were compiled and critically appraised. Importantly, many oral pathogens, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum were linked to certain oral potentially malignant lesions and various types of HNSCC. Furthermore, we summarized the association between the expression profiles of different oral bacterial species and their tumorigenic and prognostic effects in cancer patients. We also discussed the current limitations of this newly emerging area and the potential microbiota-related strategies for preventing and treating HNSCC. Whilst many clinical studies are underway to unravel the role of oral microbiota in cancer, the limited available data and experimental approaches reflect the newness of this promising yet challenging field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Carcinogenesis)
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