The history of Distilbène® (Diethylstilbestrol) told to grandchildren--the transgenerational effect.
The Distilbène® story is a dramatic episode which belongs to the history of medicine. It provided several useful lessons such as the importance of evidence-based medicine and the hazard to develop treatments during pregnancy without careful animal verifications. However, this experience has also provided unexpected progress by suggesting new pathophysiological concepts: fetal programming of adult diseases and/or transgenerational transmission of environmental effects through epigenetic modifications.
Endocrinology-Diabetology and Reproduction Unit/Inserm U1065-C3M, Nice University Hospital, Nice, France. Electronic address: fenichel.p@chu-nice.fr.
Patrick
P
Fénichel
Endocrinology-Diabetology and Reproduction Unit/Inserm U1065-C3M, Nice University Hospital, Nice, France.
Françoise
F
Brucker-Davis
Endocrinology-Diabetology and Reproduction Unit/Inserm U1065-C3M, Nice University Hospital, Nice, France.
Nicolas
N
Chevalier
D000328:Adult; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000266:history*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000266:history*; D005260:Female; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000266:history / Q000473:pathology
D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol
Adénocarcinome vaginal; Distilbène(®); Effet transgénérationnel; Endocrine disruptors; Exposition fœtale; Fetal exposure; Hypospadias; Perturbateurs endocriniens; Transgenerational effect; Vaginal adenocarcinoma