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In utero exposure to poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and subsequent breast cancer

Barbara A Cohn1, Michele A La Merrill2, Nickilou Y Krigbaum1

  • 1Child Health and Development Studies, Public Health Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA.

Reproductive Toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.)
|July 20, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Maternal exposure to certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) during pregnancy may influence daughters' breast cancer risk. High levels of N-ethyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid (EtFOSAA) combined with high cholesterol increased risk.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent environmental contaminants with widespread human exposure.
  • Maternal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals during pregnancy is a potential risk factor for offspring health outcomes, including cancers.
  • Understanding the long-term effects of prenatal chemical exposures on breast cancer development is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between maternal serum levels of various PFASs during pregnancy and the risk of breast cancer in their daughters.
  • To examine potential interactions between PFASs and maternal total cholesterol in predicting daughters' breast cancer risk.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study of 9300 daughters born between 1959-1967 was conducted with a 54-year follow-up.
  • Maternal perinatal serum samples were analyzed for PFASs and total cholesterol.
  • 102 cases of daughter breast cancer were matched with 310 controls based on birth year and blood draw trimester.

Main Results:

  • High maternal N-ethyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid (EtFOSAA), a precursor to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), combined with high maternal total cholesterol, was associated with a 3.6-fold increased risk of breast cancer in daughters.
  • Maternal PFOS exposure was inversely associated with daughters' breast cancer risk.
  • These associations remained significant after adjusting for potential confounders and were robust to alternative statistical models.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal exposure to specific PFASs, particularly EtFOSAA in conjunction with high cholesterol, may increase daughters' susceptibility to breast cancer.
  • The findings highlight the potential role of early-life chemical exposures in long-term cancer risk and underscore the need for further research into chemical mixtures and vulnerable exposure windows.
  • Further experimental and epidemiological studies are warranted to confirm these findings and elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms for breast cancer prevention strategies.

Keywords:
Breast cancerCHDSChild Health and Development StudiesICholesterolEtFOSAAIn utero window of susceptibilityPFASsPFOS

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