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Collection of Alfalfa Root Exudates to Study the Impact of Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate on Metabolite Production
Published on: June 2, 2023
Molecular link(s) between hepatoblastoma pathogenesis and exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate: a hypothesis
Marco Salvatore1, Stefano Lorenzetti, Francesca Maranghi
1Department of Cell Biology and Neurosciences, National Centre for Rare Diseases, Rome, Italy.
Insights
Hepatoblastoma (HB), a childhood liver cancer, may be influenced by environmental factors like DEHP and intrauterine growth retardation. Understanding these links could aid in HB prevention and early diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Environmental Health
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the primary liver cancer in children, affecting infants and young children.
- HB is a multifactorial condition influenced by genetic and environmental factors, but its pathogenesis is not fully understood.
- Established risk factors include intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of environmental chemical exposure, specifically di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), on Hepatoblastoma development.
- To explore the role of altered Wnt and IGF signaling pathways in HB pathogenesis.
- To discuss the hypothesis linking DEHP exposure, impaired IGF2 switching, and HB.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on Hepatoblastoma, environmental factors, and signaling pathways.
- Analysis of scientific evidence on genetic and environmental predisposing factors for HB.
- Discussion of the proposed hypothesis on DEHP and IGF2 switching.
Main Results:
- Environmental chemicals like DEHP are implicated as potential contributors to HB.
- Altered Wnt and Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) signaling pathways are involved in HB establishment.
- IUGR is a recognized risk factor for Hepatoblastoma.
Conclusions:
- Environmental exposures, such as DEHP, may play a role in Hepatoblastoma pathogenesis.
- Understanding the interaction between environmental factors and signaling pathways like IGF2 is crucial for HB prevention.
- Further research into the DEHP-IGF2 link could advance early diagnosis and prevention strategies for childhood liver cancer.
Abstract:
Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most important primary liver cancer in children, accounting for up to 1% of all paediatric malignancies. It affects mostly infants and young children between the age of 6 months and 3 years. Predisposing genetic factors for HB have been identified and scientific evidence clearly points out HB as a multi-factorial condition based on both genetic and environmental factors. Nevertheless, a clear understanding of the pathogenesis is yet lacking. The present review will focus on the impact of exposure to environmental chemicals, such as di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), and recognized risk factors, such as intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), on HB establishment via altered signalling pathways (Wnt and IGF). The hypothesis linking the impairment of IGF2 foetal/adult switching and exposure to DEHP is discussed as a way forward to support HB prevention and early diagnosis.
