Mycotoxins as human carcinogens-the IARC Monographs classification
Vladimir Ostry1, Frantisek Malir2, Jakub Toman2
1Center for Health, Nutrition and Food, National Institute of Public Health in Prague, Palackeho 3a, 61242, Brno, Czech Republic. vladimir.ostry@szu.cz.
Mycotoxin Research
|November 27, 2016
Summary
This study reviews the carcinogenic risks of mycotoxins like aflatoxins and ochratoxin A (OTA) in humans. New evidence on OTA
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Carcinogenesis
- Food Safety
Background:
- Humans are exposed to mycotoxins through food.
- Mycotoxins pose health risks, particularly carcinogenicity.
- The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) assesses these risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize IARC's carcinogenic hazard assessments for key mycotoxins.
- To highlight recent findings on ochratoxin A (OTA) and its potential reclassification.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological data.
- Analysis of cancer studies in experimental animals.
- Evaluation of mechanistic studies, including genotoxicity and oxidative stress.
Main Results:
- Summarizes carcinogenic hazard assessments for aflatoxins, fumonisins, and OTA.
- Presents new information on OTA's genotoxicity (OTA-DNA adducts) and role in oxidative stress.
- Identifies epigenetic factors in OTA carcinogenesis.
Conclusions:
- OTA's carcinogenicity mechanisms, if proven to operate in humans, may lead to its reclassification.
- Ongoing research is crucial for accurate mycotoxin risk assessment and public health protection.
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