Bisphenol A at Low Nanomolar Doses Confers Chemoresistance in Estrogen Receptor-α–Positive and –Negative Breast Cancer Cells
2009

Bisphenol A and Chemoresistance in Breast Cancer Cells

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): LaPensee Elizabeth W., Tuttle Traci R., Fox Sejal R., Ben-Jonathan Nira

Primary Institution: University of Cincinnati

Hypothesis

Does Bisphenol A at low nanomolar concentrations oppose the action of chemotherapeutic agents in breast cancer cells?

Conclusion

BPA at environmentally relevant doses reduces the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents in breast cancer cells.

Supporting Evidence

  • BPA antagonizes the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin, cisplatin, and vinblastine in both ERα-positive and -negative breast cancer cells.
  • BPA increases the expression of antiapoptotic proteins, which may contribute to chemoresistance.
  • The protective effects of BPA are independent of classical estrogen receptors ERα and ERβ.

Takeaway

BPA, a chemical found in many plastics, can make breast cancer cells less sensitive to chemotherapy, which is not good for patients.

Methodology

The study used the MTT cytotoxicity assay to assess cell responsiveness to anticancer drugs and BPA, along with Western blotting and real-time PCR for protein and gene expression analysis.

Potential Biases

Potential bias may arise from the use of specific cell lines that may not reflect the heterogeneity of breast cancer.

Limitations

The study primarily focused on two breast cancer cell lines, which may not fully represent the complexity of breast cancer in patients.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1289/ehp.11788

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication