Advancing Aquatic Ecotoxicology Testing of Anticancer Drugs Through Mesocosms

The widespread use of anticancer drugs (ACDs) in human therapies determines the occurrence of these potent cytotoxic chemicals into aquatic ecosystems. Nowadays, ACDs are ubiquitous contaminants in wastewater effluents and freshwater compartments, raising urgent questions about their environmental impact. Designed to disrupt cellular proliferation, these compounds are inherently bioactive and can exert toxic effects on non-target organisms even at trace concentrations. Conventional fate and toxicity tests provide important initial data but are limited in ecological realism, often focusing on single-specie and single-endpoint under controlled conditions and overlooking complex interactions, trophic dynamics, and long-term chronic exposures. Knowledge of all these aspects is needed for proper monitoring, assessment, and regulation of ACDs. Simulated ecosystem experiments, such as mesocosms, provide intermediate-scale, semi-controlled platforms for investigating real-world exposure scenarios, assessing ACD fate, and identifying both direct and indirect ecological effects. They offer distinct advantages for evaluating the chronic toxicity of persistent pollutants by enabling realistic long-term contamination simulations and supporting the simultaneous collection of comprehensive hazard and exposure endpoints. This perspective underscores the growing concern surrounding the contamination of ACDs, examines the limitations of traditional assessment approaches, and advocates for mesocosm-based studies as a critical bridge between laboratory research and ecosystem-level understanding. By integrating mesocosm experiments into environmental fate and risk evaluation, we can better predict the behavior and ecological consequences of anticancer pharmaceuticals, guiding strategies to mitigate their impact on aquatic life.