Abstract
PurposeInvasive breast carcinoma is the most common cancer in women as in non-ovariectomised pet dogs, which are already identified as a valuable spontaneous preclinical model for that disease. Geographical and time trends suggest that environmental factors may play an important role in the etiology and pathogenesis of breast cancer. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) fit perfectly with these trends and are known to interact with hormonal receptors implicated in breast cancer subtyping. The aim of this innovating study was to evaluate the interest of the companion dog model in assessing chemical exposure and breast cancer associations, in order to identify common etiological features with the human disease in a context of comparative oncology.MethodsWe monitored a hundred of molecules belonging to a large panel of POPs (dioxins, dioxin-like and non dioxin-like polychlorobisphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, brominated flame retardants, perfluorinated alkylated substances) in companion dogs diagnosed for mammary adenocarcinoma (n = 54) and non cancer controls (n = 47).ResultsAll targeted chemical families were able to be detected in canine samples. We identified pollutants associated with mammary cancer belonging to the dioxin like-PCB family (notably PCB-118, -156, -105, -114) that were already pointed out in human epidemiological studies on breast cancer, and that fit with the fundamental role of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in the promotion of breast cancer.ConclusionsSimilarities observed in the spontaneous dog model are very helpful to progress in interpretation of human breast cancer-environment relationships. This study provides a new insight focusing on this discrete but recurrent signature.
Highlights
Parallel observations can be made during the last decades regarding an increased environmental chemical pollution and an increased incidence of breast cancer over the same period in industrialized countries
We monitored a hundred of molecules belonging to a large panel of Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in companion dogs diagnosed for mammary adenocarcinoma (n = 54) and non cancer controls (n = 47)
We identified pollutants associated with mammary cancer belonging to the dioxin like-PCB family that were already pointed out in human epidemiological studies on breast cancer, and that fit with the fundamental role of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in the promotion of breast cancer
Summary
Parallel observations can be made during the last decades regarding an increased environmental chemical pollution and an increased incidence of breast cancer over the same period in industrialized countries. Dioxins (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCB) target mainly the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) (Kafafi et al 1993; Kouri et al 1974), which is implicated in the down-regulation of ER and AR expression at both genetic and molecular level (Ohtake et al 2011). PCBs were intensively produced between 1930s and 1980s for electrical isolation, lubrication and non-flammable capacities for various electrical and mechanic applications Their persistence in soil and food is mainly due to contaminations from plants and inadequate disposal procedures. PFAS are commonly used as an anti-sticking material for cooking equipment, anti-stain treatment for textiles and surfactants in cleaning and cosmetic products
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