Epidemiologic evidence of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gamboa-Loira, Brenda; López-Carrillo, Lizbeth; Mar-Sánchez, Yuliana; Stern, Dalia; Cebrián, Mariano E.
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 290(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Breast cancer -- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons -- PAHs -- Systematic review DNA-PAH adducts; AhR (Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor) -- B[a]P (Benzo[a]pyrene) -- BC (Breast Cancer) -- BCRA1 (Breast Cancer 1) -- BCRA2 (Breast Cancer 2) -- CYP (Cytochrome P450) -- ELISA (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay) -- ER (Estrogen Receptor) -- ETS (Environmental Tobacco Smoke) -- GC-FID (Gas Chromatography with a Flame Ionization Detector) -- GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) -- HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) -- IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) -- NTP (National Toxicology Program) -- OH-PAHs (Hydroxylated PAHs metabolites) -- PAHs (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) -- PR (Progesterone Receptor) -- SNPs (Single nucleotide polymorphisms); Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133237
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. However, only 58% of cases have been associated with known risk factors (reproductive, hormonal, lifestyles, and genetic), and the rest to unknown causes. Nevertheless, growing evidence suggests that exposure to environmental contaminants is an important risk factor for BC. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are formed during organic matter combustion, including smoking, grilled meat, and fuels, and are important carcinogenic constituents of environmental pollution. We examined the information generated by epidemiological studies evaluating the association between BC and PAHs exposure from multiple sources. Our work was conducted according to Conducting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Observational Studies of Etiology (COSMOS-E) guidelines. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus from January 2000 to December 2019. A total of 124 records were identified, and only 23 articles met all inclusion criteria. Occupational and/or environmental exposure to PAHs was significantly associated with BC, irrespective of exposure being assessed by direct or indirect methods. CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 adverse polymorphisms, familial BC history and smoking status, significantly strengthened the association between PAHs exposure and BC, whereas high fruit and vegetable intake had antagonistic associations. The positive relationships obtained in the studies here reviewed indicated that PAHs exposure is a risk factor for BC. Research needs include the improvement of exposure assessment, particularly identification of specific PAHs, reconstruction of time-varying and distant past exposures and further studies on the interaction between known BC factors and modifiable diet and life-style factors allowing BC prevention and control. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: PAHs exposure was significantly and positively associated with BC. Some CYP1A1 and 1B1 polymorphisms and smoking strengthened PAHs and BC association. High intakes of fruit and vegetables attenuated PAHs and BC association.