After a Century of Research into Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens, Where Do We Stand?

Abstract

Cancer is one of the longest-known human diseases, yet only in recent times have we begun to perceive that the percentage of neoplasms caused by environmental factors, lifestyle and chemicals, is likely underestimated. The first medical reports associating cancer with pollutants like tars appeared by the early 20th century, but despite initial evidence relating oncogenesis and chromosomal alterations, only after the structure of DNA had been elucidated in the 1950s have genetic disorders been fully perceived as cause. This led to a growing interest in genotoxic and mutagenic pollutants. Even though we are now familiar with a range of environmental carcinogens spanning between aromatic hydrocarbons and asbestos to radionuclides and forms of carbon nanomaterials, establishing causal networks between pollutants and cancer remains cumbersome. In most part, this is due to the complexity of toxicant matrices, unknown modes-of-action of chemicals or their mixtures, the widening array of novel pollutants plus difficulties in subtracting background effects from true aetiology of disease. Recent advances in analytical chemistry, high-throughput toxicology, next-generation sequencing, computational biology and databases that allocate whole normal and cancer genomes, all indicate that we are on the verge of a new age of research into mechanistic ‘oncotoxicology’, but how can it impact risk assessment and prevention?

The Human Genome Organisation (HUGO) and a vision for Ecogenomics: the Ecological Genome Project

“…It is the molecular study of the environmental influences on an organism’s genome, including the impacts of ambient agents on heritable variations (e.g. exogenous mutagens), or changes in the personal microbiome [ 11 ]. 4 Patterns of molecular, genetic, and epigenetic change must also be studied in ways that account for communities’ complex social histories, exposures to stress, and access to the basic resources and opportunities that promote community health, but that are also influenced by social ecology.…”

A simplified and cost-effective detection of cancer bio-markers using BODIPY and surfactant-templated fluorogenic self-assembly

“…1 It was the renowned Greek physician, Hippocrates (460-370 BC), who first brought this term to light due to its characteristic spreading pattern. 1,2 Even in the 21st century the mention of cancer is sufficient to send shivers down one's spine. The development of cancer involves an accelerated and abnormal proliferation of cells, defying their typical boundaries and spreading to distant organs through the process of metastasis.…”

“…The development of cancer involves an accelerated and abnormal proliferation of cells, defying their typical boundaries and spreading to distant organs through the process of metastasis. [2][3][4] When cancer becomes metastatic, its potential for causing harm escalates, posing a significantly higher risk of fatality inducing life-threatening complications. [1][2][3][4][5] According to the WHO, cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths or nearly one in six deaths in 2020.…”

“…[2][3][4] When cancer becomes metastatic, its potential for causing harm escalates, posing a significantly higher risk of fatality inducing life-threatening complications. [1][2][3][4][5] According to the WHO, cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths or nearly one in six deaths in 2020. 6 Even to date there is no definite cure for the disease.…”