A review of the carcinogenic potential of bisphenol A.
The estrogenic properties of bisphenol A (BPA), a ubiquitous synthetic monomer that can leach into the food and water supply, have prompted considerable research into exposure-associated health risks in humans. Endocrine-disrupting properties of BPA suggest it may impact developmental plasticity during early life, predisposing individuals to disease at doses below the oral reference dose (RfD) established by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1982. Herein, we review the current in vivo literature evaluating the carcinogenic properties of BPA. We conclude that there is substantial evidence from rodent studies indicating that early-life BPA exposures below the RfD lead to increased susceptibility to mammary and prostate cancer. Based on the definitions of "carcinogen" put forth by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the National Toxicology Program, we propose that BPA may be reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen in the breast and prostate due to its tumor promoting properties.
Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-4965, USA.
Darcie D
DD
Seachrist
Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-4965, USA.
Kristen W
KW
Bonk
Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0056, USA.
Shuk-Mei
SM
Ho
Departments of Urology, Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612-7310, USA.
Gail S
GS
Prins
Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Ana M
AM
Soto
Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-4965, USA. Electronic address: keri@case.edu.
Ruth A
RA
Keri
D000818:Animals; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000139:chemically induced*; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000633:toxicity*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005834:Genital Neoplasms, Male / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010636:Phenols / Q000633:toxicity*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D010636:Phenols; C006780:bisphenol A; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
Bisphenol A; Cancer; Estrogen receptor; Mammary; Ovary; Prostate; Testes; Uterus