When colorectal cancer cells are exposed to two “permanent chemicals” in the lab, the chemicals can accelerate cancer progression, a new study suggests.
The new study conducted an analysis of exposure levels comparable to those of firefighters and other people who come into contact with them regularly. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
PFAS concentrations in the blood of firefighters tends to be higher more frequently than the general population due to frequent exposure fire extinguishing foamcontains PFAS chemicals for flame retardancy.
Firefighters are more likely to get sick and die than the general public. various cancers This includes colorectal cancer. Environmental factors are thought to be related to approx. 80 percent of CRC cases.
A new study suggests that PFAS exposure in the lab induces the migration of CRC cells to new locations, playing a potential role in cancer spread (metastasis) in living things.
“This does not prove metastasis, but there is increased motility, which is a hallmark of metastasis.” To tell Caroline H. Johnson, an epidemiologist at Yale University;
PFAS are man-made chemicals based on: carbon fluorine bondAs their nickname “forever chemicals” suggests, PFAS are commonly used in a wide variety of products because these bonds are very strong and resistant to degradation. Unfortunately, it can also survive for years in the environment as concentrations continue to rise.
“PFAS are a class of pervasive persistent organic pollutants that are of increasing public concern around the world.” To tell Co-lead author Jie Zheng, a physiologist at Yale University.
“They are frequently found in the environment, including drinking water, indoor dust, detergents, and paints.”
Although many of these “timeless chemicals” still exist in everyday products, the dangers of PFAS are largely unknown, in part because many different compounds are involved.
Studies have shown that these long-lasting chemicals are widespread throughout the environment and that exposure to high levels is associated with harmful effects on human and physical health. animal.
perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a widely used PFAS, has been classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer November 2023, and Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid Another common PFAS, (PFOS), has been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans.
To study how they affect advanced colorectal cancer, Zheng, Johnson, and colleagues tested colorectal cancer cells grown in the lab and metabolomics – The process of measuring the level of metabolitethousands of small molecules such as amino acids, lipids, and proteins.
“We look at patterns that occur within a group of exposed people or a group of sick people and try to formulate a hypothesis about why someone develops the disease or the disease progresses.” says Johnson. To tell.
“Metabolomics is one of the only tools that can measure biological effects and environmental exposures in the same sample.”
Two CRC cell types. spheroid, was used in the experiment.wild type KRAS gene present in one type and the other had a common mutation in the KRAS gene. Association with particularly aggressive CRC.
Exposure to PFOS and PFOA increased cell movement and increased propensity to spread. In another test using CRC cells grown in a flat layer, cells were divided by drawing a line down the middle. Once the chemicals were introduced, the cells grew and moved closer together again.
To dig deeper, the researchers looked at the effects of chemicals on cell metabolism. Exposure to PFAS altered a variety of metabolites essential for cellular function, such as amino acids and fatty acids, as well as signaling proteins associated with metastasis.
A substance that normally has anti-inflammatory properties and protects against cancer was also reduced in colon cancer cells after exposure. Some differences were more pronounced in the mutated cells, which could mean that cancers with this mutation may be more likely to spread through exposure to PFAS.
These laboratory results indicate that exposure to high levels of PFOS and PFOA can potentially increase the risk of CRC spread in real-world settings. According to the research team, this is important information for people working in potentially high-exposure jobs, who should monitor these chemicals as well as in future clinical studies. It is said to be the key to protecting health.
“A lot of in vitro research cannot be applied to humans,” Johnson said. explain“But I think it’s important to first understand the mechanisms by which they actually affect cancer cell proliferation.”
This research environmental science and technology.