Bisphenol-A and other Plastics: Review of Endocrine Disrupting Effects on Prostate Cancer

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is widely spread among the endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Different hormone derivates or various organochlorinated pesticides are industrial human-made "plastics." EDCs are ubiquitary used in the modern world, and their impact on human health has been intensively studied in the last decades. BPA is used as a representative model for endocrine disruption mechanisms; it represents a critical element of producing polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, necessary for the manufacture of beverage or food containers, various personal-care products or dental industry products. Environmental exposure to BPA or other EDCs has resulted in functional or morphological drastically alterations of the genital tract or mammary gland that lead to earlier onset of different diseases, reduce fertility, or inducing prostate cancer. All the above have been observed via multiple in vitro analyses on human cells or in vitro analyses on animal models, especially rats. BPA causes prostate cancer through a sum o mechanisms. It increases the activation of various signaling pathways (Erk or Akt kinase), steroidal receptors recruiting chromatin, derived activity of different histone-modifying enzymes, transcription of various androgen receptor mutants detected in prostate cancer or acting via a pro-inflammatory mechanism that leads to prostate cancer progression once installed. Other EDCs such as different dioxins, cadmium, or inorganic arsenic are also incriminating in the neoplastic transformation of the prostate. This review aims to evaluate the current knowledge on this topic. Most of the authors agree on the carcinogenetic effects of these compounds. Extensive in vivo research on humans is imperative for a better and more accurate understanding of "plastics" impact.