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Search Results (425)

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Keywords = endocrine-related cancers

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25 pages, 1496 KB  
Review
Current Evidence Linking Microplastic Exposure and Reproductive Cancers
by Barira Rais, Abul Vafa, Faten F. Bin Dayel and Summya Rashid
J. Xenobiotics 2026, 16(5), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox16050163 - 31 Aug 2026
Viewed by 204
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) have emerged as pervasive environmental contaminants with increasing evidence of human exposure and biological accumulation. Recent studies have confirmed their presence in multiple human reproductive tissues and fluids, including semen, testicular tissue, ovarian follicular fluid, cervicovaginal secretions, placenta, [...] Read more.
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) have emerged as pervasive environmental contaminants with increasing evidence of human exposure and biological accumulation. Recent studies have confirmed their presence in multiple human reproductive tissues and fluids, including semen, testicular tissue, ovarian follicular fluid, cervicovaginal secretions, placenta, and breast milk, raising concerns regarding their potential implications for reproductive health. Beyond their widespread distribution, MPs have been shown in experimental studies to interact with cellular and molecular processes, including oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, mitochondrial dysfunction, and DNA damage, which are pathways commonly implicated in carcinogenesis. This review provides a comprehensive and critical synthesis of current evidence linking microplastic exposure to reproductive cancers, including prostate, testicular, ovarian, endometrial, cervical, and vaginal malignancies. Available mechanistic studies suggest that MPs may influence cancer-related biological processes through dysregulation of programmed cell death, genotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and modulation of signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT and MAPK. Experimental findings also indicate that MPs may alter the tumor microenvironment and affect cellular behaviors associated with proliferation, migration, and invasion. However, the majority of current evidence is derived from in vitro studies, animal models, and indirect mechanistic observations, while direct epidemiological evidence in humans remain limited. Furthermore, methodological heterogeneity in microplastic detection and characterization complicates comparisons across studies and hinders causal inference. Overall, current evidence supports the biological plausibility of an association between microplastic exposure and reproductive cancer-related processes, while highlighting the need for standardized methodologies and well-designed longitudinal human studies to clarify potential health risks. Full article
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27 pages, 4430 KB  
Review
Molecular Mechanisms of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Emerging-Pollutant Toxicity in Human Reproduction: From Xenobiotic Exposure to Fertility Impairment and Reproductive Carcinogenesis
by Zakhia El Beaino, Jean-Marc Ayoubi and Samir Hamamah
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(17), 7766; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27177766 - 30 Aug 2026
Viewed by 226
Abstract
Human fertility is declining across industrialised populations, while the incidence of hormone-dependent reproductive cancers rises. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and structurally related emerging pollutants are implicated in both. These two outcomes are generally reviewed as separate studies. This review argues that they are two [...] Read more.
Human fertility is declining across industrialised populations, while the incidence of hormone-dependent reproductive cancers rises. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and structurally related emerging pollutants are implicated in both. These two outcomes are generally reviewed as separate studies. This review argues that they are two latencies of a single molecular toxicology. The compounds concerned are structurally diverse: phthalates, bisphenols, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins, brominated and organophosphate flame retardants, pharmaceuticals and personal-care products (PPCPs), and micro- and nanoplastics. They nonetheless converge on a limited repertoire of molecular lesions. These include the disruption of hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) signalling through kisspeptin/GnRH and gonadotropin gene expression and interference at nuclear and membrane hormone receptors (ERα/β, AR, GPER, thyroid receptors, AhR, PPARγ). They also include the inhibition of steroidogenesis at StAR and the CYP11A1–CYP17A1–CYP19A1/3β-HSD/17β-HSD cascade and reactive-oxygen-species generation with mitochondrial dysfunction and Keap1–Nrf2 disruption. Epigenetic reprogramming through DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNAs, together with crosstalk with metabolic and immune signalling, completes the set. These lesions produce measurable cytotoxic and genotoxic damage to gametes and the early embryo: sperm DNA fragmentation and 8-oxo-dG accumulation, blood–testis-barrier breakdown, oocyte meiotic-spindle defects, and granulosa-cell apoptosis and pyroptosis. The same receptor, oxidative and genotoxic hubs drive hormone-dependent reproductive carcinogenesis over longer latencies. The review makes three contributions. First, it traces these shared hubs continuously from fertility impairment to malignancy rather than treating them as separate fields. Second, it grades the certainty of the human evidence class by class, so that robust associations can be distinguished from provisional ones. Third, it integrates pseudo-persistent pollutants alongside the classical persistent compounds. These are micro- and nanoplastics, which act as both toxicants and vectors for adsorbed co-contaminants, and pharmaceutical and personal-care residues sustained by continuous wastewater input. Their inclusion demonstrates that chronic low-dose exposure does not require chemical persistence. We conclude with mitigation strategies and an explicit account of what the current evidence base cannot yet support. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicity Mechanism of Emerging Pollutants: 2nd Edition)
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18 pages, 3610 KB  
Article
Targeting miR-10b in Breast Cancer Bone Colonization Model Using Image-Guided Nucleic Acid-Based Therapeutics
by Sujan K. Mondal, Elizabeth Kenyon, Bryan Doyun Kim, Zdravka Medarova and Anna Moore
Cancers 2026, 18(17), 2731; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18172731 - 23 Aug 2026
Viewed by 264
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related death. Despite the use of bisphosphonates, RANKL inhibitors, chemotherapy, and available endocrine therapies, the five-year survival rate for patients with bone metastases remains approximately 20–30%, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related death. Despite the use of bisphosphonates, RANKL inhibitors, chemotherapy, and available endocrine therapies, the five-year survival rate for patients with bone metastases remains approximately 20–30%, underscoring the urgent need for novel, metastasis-specific therapeutic strategies. Recent studies demonstrated that miR-10b can serve as an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, particularly in the context of bone metastasis. This study aimed to test antimir-10b therapeutics in a mouse model of breast cancer bone metastasis. Methods: We utilized a previously developed dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticle-based platform for delivery of antisense anti-miR-10b oligonucleotides to bone metastases. The magnetic properties of the nanoparticles allowed for in vivo imaging of therapeutic delivery to metastatic tumors. Results: We showed the delivery of the therapeutics in the bone colonization model by in vivo imaging as well as significant survival benefits in injected animals. There was a significant inhibition of miR-10b following treatment that resulted in significant upregulation of the downstream target HOXD10 in vitro and a similar trend in vivo. Repeated dosing of the therapeutics was well tolerated, and no systemic toxicity was observed, supporting the safety profile of this approach. Conclusions: Collectively, these studies demonstrated that targeting miR-10b using an image-guided anti-miR-10b nanotherapeutic represents a promising and translatable strategy for targeting breast cancer bone metastases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue miRNAs in Targeted Cancer Therapy)
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13 pages, 9436 KB  
Review
The Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Metabolic Pathways of Some Environmental Toxicants Inflicting Human Disorders
by Michael Brimacombe and David A. Lawrence
Toxics 2026, 14(9), 737; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14090737 - 22 Aug 2026
Viewed by 372
Abstract
Numerous types of environmental toxicants alter human metabolomics, directly or indirectly, through gut microbial dysbiosis, upsetting immune homeostasis. Environmental toxicants capable of these direct and indirect effects have included heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The cell and [...] Read more.
Numerous types of environmental toxicants alter human metabolomics, directly or indirectly, through gut microbial dysbiosis, upsetting immune homeostasis. Environmental toxicants capable of these direct and indirect effects have included heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The cell and molecular events induced by some diverse toxicants are reviewed, along with their potential additive, synergistic, and antagonistic effects on immune homeostasis (increasing proinflammatory immune cell activation and suppressing immunoregulation), which leads to systemic oxidative stress (OS). As people are exposed in varying degrees to countless chemicals and environmental factors over a lifetime, it is challenging to correlate specific diagnoses to any single toxicant or exposure, which is often a key challenge in linking environmental exposure to health outcomes. However, many toxicants have the common mechanistic effect of OS. The effects of toxicants are more pronounced with aging due to cumulative exposures and immunoaging (immunosenescence), with chronic low-grade inflammation referred to as “inflammaging”. The cell and molecular mechanisms of toxicants include altered calcium flux, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased levels of damage-associated molecular patterns (alarmins) that trigger an inflammatory response and possibly promote autoimmune and neurological disorders. OS skews type-1 immunity for defenses against pathogens and cancers more toward type-2 immune responses to self-antigens (autoimmunity). The toxicants may directly affect the innate and adaptive immune cells inducing this skewing, or they may modify portions of gut microbial species and strains and their production of metabolites that indirectly affect systemic immunity. These latter toxicant influences require metabolomic analysis of the differential structures and activities of the microbial metabolites. The damaging effects of OS and inflammation disrupting immune homeostasis and leading to disorders are reviewed and discussed. The need for well-designed studies that allow for standardized comparison of exposures and related effects are emphasized, and their real-world limitations noted. Full article
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16 pages, 1901 KB  
Review
Bad Blood: Navigating VTE Risk in Breast, Ovarian, and Endometrial Cancer
by Felice Sorrentino, Laura Vona, Luigi Nappi, Maria Rosaria Campitiello, Victoria Bitsadze, Jamilya Khizroeva, Alexander Makatsariya, Concetta Panebianco and Elvira Grandone
Cancers 2026, 18(16), 2668; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18162668 - 18 Aug 2026
Viewed by 394
Abstract
Cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) is defined as venous or arterial thrombotic events occurring in patients with active malignancy or during anticancer treatment, most commonly presenting as venous thromboembolism and representing a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in oncology. Hormone-sensitive malignancies, including breast, ovarian, [...] Read more.
Cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) is defined as venous or arterial thrombotic events occurring in patients with active malignancy or during anticancer treatment, most commonly presenting as venous thromboembolism and representing a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in oncology. Hormone-sensitive malignancies, including breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers, are characterized by a complex interaction among tumor biology, endocrine signaling, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and coagulation activation. In these malignancies, venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk is influenced not only by intrinsic tumor-related mechanisms but also by patient-specific factors and anticancer therapies, particularly endocrine treatments, chemotherapy, targeted agents, and extensive surgical procedures. Breast cancer is generally associated with an intermediate thrombotic risk, although endocrine therapy—especially tamoxifen—significantly increases VTE incidence. Ovarian cancer represents one of the most thrombogenic solid tumors because of elevated tissue factor expression, inflammatory activation, advanced-stage presentation, and aggressive multimodal treatment strategies. Endometrial cancer exhibits a strong association with obesity, metabolic syndrome, prolonged estrogen exposure, and perioperative thrombotic complications. Emerging evidence highlights the role of immune-thrombosis, extracellular vesicles, inflammatory cytokines, and sex-specific coagulation pathways in cancer-associated hypercoagulability. Current guidelines increasingly support individualized thromboprophylaxis based on tumor biology, patient-specific risk factors, and bleeding risk assessment. This review summarizes the biological mechanisms linking hormones and thrombosis in breast and gynecologic cancers, discusses current evidence regarding VTE risk factors and treatment-related thrombotic complications, and explores modern approaches to biomarkers, risk stratification, and personalized thromboprophylaxis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention)
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14 pages, 863 KB  
Article
The Assessment of Race, the 21-Gene Recurrence Score, and Breast Cancer Outcomes at Kaiser Permanente
by Amanda F. Petrik, Charisma L. Jenkins, Ana G. Rosales, Terry Kimes, Ning Smith, Nathalie Johnson, Amy Morris, Suma Vupputuri, A. Blythe Ryerson, Matthew P. Banegas, Robert B. Hufnagel, Lilian G. Perez and David Mosen
Cancers 2026, 18(16), 2662; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18162662 - 18 Aug 2026
Viewed by 300
Abstract
Background: It is well documented that Black and African American (AA) patients have the highest risk of recurrence of breast cancer. However, less is known about racial differences in gene expression profiling tests such as Oncotype DX that predicts cancer recurrence. This [...] Read more.
Background: It is well documented that Black and African American (AA) patients have the highest risk of recurrence of breast cancer. However, less is known about racial differences in gene expression profiling tests such as Oncotype DX that predicts cancer recurrence. This study aimed to assess the predictive differences in Oncotype DX scores for breast cancer outcomes between Black/AA and non-Hispanic White patients. Methods: We identified Oncotype DX testing status in patients ages 18–75 years who were newly diagnosed with breast cancer, assessed race and other factors among patients with different testing statuses, and described the distribution of the Oncotype DX score. Additionally, we assessed treatment, and multifactorial impact on outcomes by Oncotype DX score, including: receipt of chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, stage, and disease-related recurrence and mortality. Results: We identified 2577 eligible patients for the analysis. Black/AA patients had a 49% greater risk/hazard of mortality than non-Hispanic White (NHW) patients (multivariable model p-value 0.0444). Oncotype DX score differences were associated with mortality in the overall sample (multivariable model, p-value = 0.0281). Specifically, in the Oncotype DX-specific models, Black/AA patients with an Oncotype DX score of 0–16 had 73% greater risk of mortality than NHW patients (multivariable model p-value 0.0409). While all other Oncotype DX score categories showed elevated risks of mortality, they were not statistically significant. The Oncotype DX-specific multivariable models showed that, compared to NHW patients, recurrence was lower for Black/AA patients in the lower categories and higher in the upper categories, but results were not statistically significant. Conclusions: This study assessed recurrence and mortality outcomes by the recurrence score and found significantly higher rates of mortality among Black/AA patients in the lowest recurrence score category. Other studies have shown that recurrence scores add prognostic value during diagnosis. However, examining performance of these tools among diverse populations is imperative. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cancer Pathophysiology)
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36 pages, 2486 KB  
Review
Exploring the Possible Role of Endometriosis-Associated Dysbiosis in Endometrial Carcinogenesis
by Costin Vlad Anastasiu, Oana Gabriela Dimienescu, Maria Alexandra Dinuță-Smeu, Marius Alexandru Moga, Ovidiu Dan Grigorescu, Gabriela Gugiu and Alina Bisoc
Medicina 2026, 62(8), 1577; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62081577 - 17 Aug 2026
Viewed by 413
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Endometriosis is associated with chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, oestrogen-dependent growth, oxidative stress, altered steroid hormone metabolism, compromised epithelial barrier integrity, and the production of bioactive microbial metabolites. These interconnected alterations have been proposed to create, in principle, a permissive local [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Endometriosis is associated with chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, oestrogen-dependent growth, oxidative stress, altered steroid hormone metabolism, compromised epithelial barrier integrity, and the production of bioactive microbial metabolites. These interconnected alterations have been proposed to create, in principle, a permissive local microenvironment for malignant transformation. This narrative review examines whether endometriosis-associated dysregulation of the gut and reproductive tract microbiota may act as a hypothetical biological modulator linking these multi-axis changes to endometrial carcinogenesis, with attention to immunological, endocrine, metabolic, microbial–metabolite, oxidative, and barrier-related pathways. Material and Methods: We narratively integrated current evidence on gut and reproductive tract microbiota alterations relevant to endometrial homeostasis, with emphasis on the estrobolome, low-biomass uterine microbial communities, inflammatory and immune signaling, microbial metabolites, and pathways implicated in carcinogenesis. Results: Available data suggest that dysbiosis may influence endometrial carcinogenesis through interconnected endocrine, inflammatory, metabolic, and immune mechanisms. Attention has been given to loss of Lactobacillus dominance, enrichment of anaerobic and pro-inflammatory taxa, altered estrogen recirculation, progesterone resistance, Toll-like receptor activation, NF-κB/STAT3 signaling, COX-2/PGE2 activity, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway activation, oxidative stress, macrophage polarization, and impaired natural killer cell surveillance. These alterations may contribute to a permissive microenvironment characterized by persistent inflammation, defective immune control, and disrupted endometrial homeostasis. However, the current literature remains limited by small and heterogeneous cohorts, predominantly cross-sectional designs, contamination risk, and marked methodological variability, particularly in low-biomass uterine samples. Conclusions: Current evidence supports the view that microbiome dysregulation is a context-dependent biological modulator that intersects with endocrine, inflammatory, metabolic, immune, oxidative, and barrier-related pathways relevant to endometrial carcinogenesis. Microbiome dysbiosis should be regarded as a hypothetical contributory factor rather than as an established causal driver. Its near-term translational relevance appears greater for biomarker development and risk stratification than for immediate microbiome-directed therapy. Longitudinal, standardized, and functionally integrated studies are needed to clarify whether microbiome-associated signatures can be translated into clinically meaningful prevention and management strategies in endometrial cancer. Full article
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16 pages, 3345 KB  
Review
Factors Influencing Nutritional Status and Dietary Intake Among Young Adult Cancer Survivors: A Narrative Review
by Leah Walsh, Gemma Pugh and Laura Keaver
Dietetics 2026, 5(3), 48; https://doi.org/10.3390/dietetics5030048 - 14 Aug 2026
Viewed by 386
Abstract
Advances in healthcare have led to substantial growth in the global population of cancer survivors, yet young adult cancer survivors (YACS) aged 18–39 years remain an underrepresented population in cancer survivorship research. This review examines the health challenges and psychosocial factors that shape [...] Read more.
Advances in healthcare have led to substantial growth in the global population of cancer survivors, yet young adult cancer survivors (YACS) aged 18–39 years remain an underrepresented population in cancer survivorship research. This review examines the health challenges and psychosocial factors that shape nutritional status in YACS, with the aim of informing age-appropriate nutritional care. YACS face significant financial and psychosocial demands unique to this life stage, balancing education, early careers and family responsibilities. They report greater unmet nutritional and health needs than other age cohorts, in addition to concerns regarding long-term side effects, financial strain, fear of cancer recurrence and increased responsibility for managing their own care. Cancer treatment can cause nutrition impact symptoms (e.g., nausea, taste changes, fatigue, dysphagia and gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances) that may persist for years, and YACS are vulnerable to late effects such as endocrine dysfunction, cardiometabolic disease, chronic pain and osteoporosis, all of which can be influenced by diet. Poor dietary patterns have been observed in YACS, indicating low intakes of fruits, vegetables, fibre and dairy, and higher consumption of saturated fat, sodium and processed foods. This narrative review evaluated fourteen nutritional intervention studies targeting YACS aged 18–39. Most existing interventions demonstrate minimal recruitment and retention rates, small sample sizes, and a reliance on self-report methods rather than objective nutritional measures. These limitations highlight the need for a deeper understanding of YACS’ specific nutritional needs and more effective strategies to engage this cohort. Future research should prioritise larger, more representative samples, incorporate objective nutritional and clinical measures, and explicitly address psychosocial and age-related barriers to healthy eating in young adulthood. Full article
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31 pages, 7648 KB  
Review
Natural Products as Modulators of the DNA Damage Response and Oncogenic Signaling in Breast Cancer Therapy
by Maria Cuomo, Francesco Errichiello, Carolina Di Meo, Martino Forino, Luigi Frusciante, Michelino De Laurentiis, Antonio Giordano and Luigi Alfano
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(16), 7107; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27167107 - 8 Aug 2026
Viewed by 526
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy and generally the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. Molecular targeted therapies, including endocrine treatment for hormone-responsive tumors, anti-HER2 agents for HER2-positive tumors and PARP inhibitors (PARPis) for homologous recombination-deficient (HRD) tumors, [...] Read more.
Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy and generally the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide. Molecular targeted therapies, including endocrine treatment for hormone-responsive tumors, anti-HER2 agents for HER2-positive tumors and PARP inhibitors (PARPis) for homologous recombination-deficient (HRD) tumors, have significantly improved patient outcomes, but several clinical challenges are still open. The development of acquired resistance strongly limits the long-term efficacy of current treatment strategies, underscoring the necessity to identify novel therapeutic approaches for breast cancer therapy. In this review, we summarize and discuss recently investigated natural compounds with anti-breast cancer activity, ranging from polyphenols, terpenoids, alkaloids, sulfur-containing compounds and the emerging plant-derived extracellular vesicles. We focus on their ability to induce DNA damage or oxidative stress, modulating the DNA damage response (DDR) and interfering with key oncogenic signaling pathways. We also discuss the potential of these compounds to enhance the efficacy of conventional therapies, thereby offering a promising role in overcoming clinical resistance. Despite clinical relevance remains under development and further studies are required; many of the natural compounds examined here appear to effectively target DDR signaling and oncogenic pathways, supporting their potential use in breast cancer therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue DNA Damage and Repair Mechanisms in Cancer)
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19 pages, 4339 KB  
Article
Marine-Derived Fungal Metabolite MHO7 Promotes Breast Cancer Apoptosis as a Hippo Pathway Regulator by Modulating the YAP-TEAD Axis
by Xue Ren, Linfei Wang, Yuxuan Huang, Bei Shu, Kerui Hou, Mengyao Chen, Yao Xiao, Jiahong Liang, Hao Yan, Shuaishuai Ding, Hui Qiu, Jin Lu, Kui Hong and Xin Liu
Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(8), 273; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24080273 - 6 Aug 2026
Viewed by 544
Abstract
Breast cancer, especially triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and endocrine-resistant disease, remains difficult to treat because of limited effective targeted therapies. In this study, we evaluated the antitumor activity and potential mechanism of MHO7, a marine-derived ophiobolin metabolite, in ER-positive ZR-75-30 cells, tamoxifen-resistant LCC2 [...] Read more.
Breast cancer, especially triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and endocrine-resistant disease, remains difficult to treat because of limited effective targeted therapies. In this study, we evaluated the antitumor activity and potential mechanism of MHO7, a marine-derived ophiobolin metabolite, in ER-positive ZR-75-30 cells, tamoxifen-resistant LCC2 cells, and TNBC MDA-MB-231 models. MHO7 dose-dependently reduced cell viability, wound closure, and clonogenic growth in ZR-75-30 and LCC2 cells, with IC50 values of 11.53 and 10.43 μM, respectively. MHO7 also promoted apoptotic cell death, accompanied by increased reactive oxygen species accumulation and altered expression of apoptosis-related proteins, including Bcl-2 and caspase-3. N-acetyl-L-cysteine partially attenuated MHO7-induced apoptosis and YAP reduction in MDA-MB-231 cells, suggesting a contribution of oxidative stress. Molecular docking predicted that MHO7 could occupy the conserved TEAD palmitoylation pocket, and subsequent in vitro analyses showed suppression of YAP/TAZ-TEAD signaling, including reduced YAP nuclear accumulation and decreased TEAD4 expression. In an MDA-MB-231 xenograft model, MHO7 significantly inhibited tumor growth, reduced CD31-positive microvessel density, and decreased Hippo pathway-related transcriptional readouts. These findings indicate that MHO7 exerts broad antitumor activity in breast cancer models through oxidative stress-associated apoptosis and modulation of YAP/TAZ-TEAD signaling, supporting its further development as a lead compound for treatment-resistant breast cancer. Full article
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20 pages, 33088 KB  
Article
Chronic Monobutyl Phthalate Exposure Promotes Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Progression Through Inflammatory Signaling Dysregulation: Integrated Transcriptomic and Network Toxicology Analyses
by Yu Deng, Songwei Tan, Jinlan Wei, Xingyue Guo, Longqing Hu, Xincai Qu and Jing Zhou
Biomedicines 2026, 14(8), 1755; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14081755 - 4 Aug 2026
Viewed by 351
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Chronic exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals has been increasingly recognized as a potential contributor to cancer progression. Monobutyl phthalate (MBP), a major metabolite of dibutyl phthalate, is widely detected in human biological samples, yet its long-term impact on anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) has [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Chronic exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals has been increasingly recognized as a potential contributor to cancer progression. Monobutyl phthalate (MBP), a major metabolite of dibutyl phthalate, is widely detected in human biological samples, yet its long-term impact on anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) has not been systematically investigated. Methods: CAL-62 cells were continuously exposed to an environmentally relevant concentration of MBP (10 nM) over 3 months to establish a chronic exposure model that mimics long-term environmental exposure. Transcriptomic profiling was integrated with network toxicology to identify key molecular pathways and hub genes, followed by molecular docking and Western blot validation. Results: Chronic MBP exposure significantly enhanced cell viability, proliferation, colony formation, and tumorsphere formation, indicating promotion of malignant phenotypes. Transcriptomic profiling revealed extensive molecular remodeling characterized by activation of inflammation-associated pathways, including cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction, IL-17, TNF, and JAK–STAT signaling, accompanied by suppression of p53- and mTOR-related pathways. Integrated analysis identified 57 overlapping KEGG pathways, with IL6 and CSF2 emerging as central hub genes. Molecular docking demonstrated favorable binding affinities between MBP and representative target proteins, including IL6, TP53, CASP3, BCL2, and PPARG. Western blot analysis further confirmed increased IL6 and BCL2 expression together with decreased TP53, CASP3, and PPARG expression following chronic MBP exposure. Conclusions: Chronic environmentally relevant MBP exposure promotes ATC malignant progression through coordinated inflammation-associated molecular network remodeling accompanied by suppression of apoptosis-related signaling. Integrating network toxicology with transcriptomic profiling provides an effective systems-level strategy for identifying biologically relevant molecular networks underlying chronic environmental toxicant exposure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cancer Biology and Oncology)
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37 pages, 1620 KB  
Review
Endocrine-Disrupting Pesticides as Drivers of Human Disease: Mechanistic Toxicology and Life-Course Health Effects
by Nour El-Hoda Zidan, Tarek Alshaal, Nevien Elhawat, Osama Elhamalawy, Farag Malhat and Fawzy Eissa
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(15), 6928; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27156928 - 1 Aug 2026
Viewed by 677
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting pesticides (EDPs) are environmental toxicants capable of perturbing hormonal homeostasis through multiple molecular and cellular mechanisms. Growing evidence indicates that these compounds contribute to a broad spectrum of adverse health outcomes extending beyond classical endocrine dysfunction. This review critically synthesizes current knowledge [...] Read more.
Endocrine-disrupting pesticides (EDPs) are environmental toxicants capable of perturbing hormonal homeostasis through multiple molecular and cellular mechanisms. Growing evidence indicates that these compounds contribute to a broad spectrum of adverse health outcomes extending beyond classical endocrine dysfunction. This review critically synthesizes current knowledge on the toxicological mechanisms of EDPs and evaluates epidemiological evidence linking exposure to human disease. Mechanistically, EDPs act through modulation of nuclear hormone receptors, disruption of membrane-associated signaling pathways, interference with hormone synthesis, metabolism, and transport, induction of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, and epigenetic reprogramming. These molecular events converge on shared biological pathways that affect multiple organ systems and life stages. Human and experimental evidence associates EDP exposure with reproductive dysfunction, endocrine-related cancers, metabolic disorders, thyroid abnormalities, and neurodevelopmental impairments. Particular concern surrounds exposure during critical windows of susceptibility, especially prenatal development and early childhood, when endocrine systems are highly vulnerable to disruption and developmental programming. Across disease endpoints, recurring mechanisms, including endocrine receptor perturbation, oxidative stress, inflammation, and epigenetic alterations, support a unifying toxicological framework linking diverse adverse outcomes. Despite substantial progress, important uncertainties remain regarding chronic low-dose exposure, non-monotonic dose–response relationships, cumulative effects of pesticide mixtures, and the translation of mechanistic findings into human risk assessment. Future research should integrate repeated biomonitoring, advanced mixture modeling, mechanistic biomarkers, and multi-omics approaches within longitudinal life-course studies. Improved integration of toxicological and epidemiological evidence will strengthen causal inference, refine hazard characterization, and support more protective regulatory strategies for reducing the human health burden associated with endocrine-disrupting pesticides worldwide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Plant Nutrient Uptake and Signaling Networks)
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11 pages, 1479 KB  
Case Report
Germline PALB2 Genetic Variant Associated with Rapid Metastatic Progression and Poor Survival in Two Kazakh Women with Breast Cancer: A Case Study
by Gulnur Zhunussova, Nazgul Omarbayeva, Aigul Zhunussova, Diana Abdullayeva, Liliya Skvortsova, Nursultan Nurdinov and Ainash Oshibayeva
Genes 2026, 17(8), 913; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17080913 - 31 Jul 2026
Viewed by 420
Abstract
Background: Germline PALB2 variants are associated with hereditary breast cancer risk, but their clinical impact in Central Asian populations remains largely uncharacterized. This case study aims to evaluate the clinical significance of PALB2 variants in two Kazakh women with early-onset breast cancer. [...] Read more.
Background: Germline PALB2 variants are associated with hereditary breast cancer risk, but their clinical impact in Central Asian populations remains largely uncharacterized. This case study aims to evaluate the clinical significance of PALB2 variants in two Kazakh women with early-onset breast cancer. Methods: Molecular genetic testing identified germline PALB2 pathogenic variants (NM_024675.4:c.18_22delGAAGC and NM_024675.4:c.1034T>G) in two Kazakh women with early-onset invasive ductal carcinoma. Clinical courses, treatment responses, and outcomes were followed. Results: Neither patient had a reported family history of breast or other malignancies. Patient 1, a 26-year-old pregnant woman, was diagnosed with stage IIIB luminal B, HER2-negative invasive ductal carcinoma and received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, radical surgery, radiotherapy, endocrine therapy, and subsequent treatment for metastatic disease. Despite an initial response, she developed extensive skeletal metastases and died from metastatic breast cancer. Patient 2, a 33-year-old woman, presented with de novo stage IV luminal B, HER2-negative invasive ductal carcinoma with hepatic metastases. Following multimodal treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, endocrine suppression, and systemic therapy for disease progression, she experienced further metastatic spread and ultimately died from breast cancer-related complications. Conclusions: Both patients exhibited aggressive clinical courses characterized by early disease onset, metastatic progression, and poor outcomes despite comprehensive treatment. These cases highlight the potential clinical significance of germline PALB2 variants in apparently sporadic breast cancer and underscore the importance of genetic testing, risk assessment, and genetic counselling in young breast cancer patients, particularly in underrepresented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genome Sequencing and Genetic Testing for Cancer)
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23 pages, 3051 KB  
Systematic Review
Mammary Adipocyte Size, Obesity-Related Breast Adipose Tissue Dysfunction, and Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Ouafa Badre, Sue-Ling Chang, Belkacem Abdous, Julie Lemieux, Francine Durocher, André Tchernof and Caroline Diorio
Cancers 2026, 18(15), 2464; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18152464 - 31 Jul 2026
Viewed by 487
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Mammary adipose tissue functions as an active endocrine organ, potentially influencing breast carcinogenesis through metabolic and inflammatory mechanisms. This systematic review synthesized evidence on associations between mammary adipocyte size, obesity-related adipose tissue dysfunction, and breast cancer. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Mammary adipose tissue functions as an active endocrine organ, potentially influencing breast carcinogenesis through metabolic and inflammatory mechanisms. This systematic review synthesized evidence on associations between mammary adipocyte size, obesity-related adipose tissue dysfunction, and breast cancer. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL and Web of Science (January 2010–September 2025) for observational studies measuring mammary adipocyte size in human breast tissue. Two reviewers independently conducted screening following the Cochrane Review’s rigorous methodology, and bias assessment using the ROBINS-E (Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Exposure) tool. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed for quantifiable outcomes, with heterogeneity assessed using the I2 statistic. Results: Twenty-one studies were included in the systematic review. Meta-analyses indicated that mammary adipocyte diameter was positively correlated with body mass index (8 studies; n = 720; correlation coefficient (r) = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.29–0.56), crown-like structure (CLS) density (5 studies; n = 383; r = 0.45, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.36–0.54), aromatase expression (3 studies; n = 333; r = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.05–0.61), and three studies compared adipocyte diameter between CLS-positive and CLS-negative tissue (n = 297; mean difference = 9.69 μm, 95% CI: 4.94–14.44). Conclusions: This review summarizes moderate positive correlations of mammary adipocyte size with systemic adiposity, local breast inflammation, and aromatase expression, supporting a potential role for mammary adipose tissue in obesity-related metabolic dysfunction. Future prospective studies with standardized measurement protocols and improved control for confounding variables are needed to strengthen causal inference and clinical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Systematic Review or Meta-Analysis in Cancer Research)
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Systematic Review
Molecular Profiling to Guide Fertility Sparing Therapy in Early-Stage Endometrial Cancer: A EORTC Gynaecological Cancer Group Study
by Ramon Yarza, Reyes Oliver-Pérez, Eva Oldenburger, Lawrence Kasherman, Shira Peleg Hasson, José Manuel Estrada-Lorenzo, Beatriz Álvarez-Rodríguez, Alberto Martinez de Lara, Fernanda Herrera, Judith Kroep and Ainhoa Madariaga
Cancers 2026, 18(15), 2439; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18152439 - 29 Jul 2026
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Abstract
Objective: Fertility-preserving therapies are a potential option for selected patients with early-stage endometrial cancer and atypical endometrial hyperplasia/endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia. This systematic review aims to evaluate the impact of fertility-preserving strategies according to molecular subtype. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted [...] Read more.
Objective: Fertility-preserving therapies are a potential option for selected patients with early-stage endometrial cancer and atypical endometrial hyperplasia/endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia. This systematic review aims to evaluate the impact of fertility-preserving strategies according to molecular subtype. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science for English-language studies published until June 2024, investigating fertility-sparing treatments using endocrine therapy in early-stage endometrial cancer, considering molecular classification. The PRISMA checklist was followed, and the protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42025649342). Data on body mass index (BMI), age, and molecular classification (POLE-mutant, non-specific molecular profile [NSMP], p53-abnormal, and mismatch repair deficient [dMMR]) were extracted. The study assessed objective response rates (ORR), pregnancy outcomes, and survival outcomes. Statistical analyses were performed using R software. Results: The search identified 941 articles, and 10 studies with 457 patients were selected for final analysis. Pregnancy outcomes were reported in three studies, whilst all reported ORR data. Baseline median age (dMMR 35 years, POLE-mutant 38.2 years, p53-abnormal 33.9 years, and NSMP 31.6 years) and BMI (dMMR 24.3, POLE-mutant 27.9, p53-abnormal 26.2, and NSMP 29.8) differed by molecular subtype. Aggregated full-term delivery rates from the three studies reporting pregnancy outcomes were 36.4% (4/11) for POLE-mutant, 22.1% (27/122) for NSMP, 14.3% (1/7) for p53-abnormal, and 4.0% (1/25) for dMMR tumours, but statistical comparison was not feasible due to small sample size. Overall response rate was highest in NSMP (87.4%) and POLE-mutant tumours (84.6%), while dMMR (59.3%) and p53-abnormal (58.8%) had significantly lower ORR (compared to NSMP, p < 0.001 and p = 0.03, respectively). Conclusions: These findings support the potential role of molecular classification in refining patient selection for fertility-sparing treatment in early-stage endometrial cancer. Pregnancy-related outcomes should be interpreted with caution given the limited available evidence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Research in Cancer)
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