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The Role of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Thyroid Carcinogenesis: Is It a Weak Hypothesis or a Hidden Reality? From Facts to New Perspectives

Author

Listed:
  • Francesca Gorini

    (Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy)

  • Giorgio Iervasi

    (Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy)

  • Alessio Coi

    (Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy)

  • Letizia Pitto

    (Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy)

  • Fabrizio Bianchi

    (Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy)

Abstract

In the last decades, the incidence of thyroid cancer has increased faster than that of any other malignant tumor type. The cause of thyroid cancer is likely multifactorial and a variety of both exogenous and endogenous has been identified as potential risk factors. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), used since the 1970s as flame retardants, are still widespread and persistent pollutants today, although their production was definitely phased out in the western countries several years ago. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers are known endocrine disruptors, and the endocrine system is their primary target. Whereas animal studies have ascertained the ability of PBDEs to affect the normal functionality of the thyroid, evidence in humans remains inconclusive, and only a few epidemiological studies investigated the association between exposure to PBDEs and thyroid cancer. However, a number of clues suggest that a prolonged exposure to these chemicals might act a trigger of the most common malignancy of the endocrine system, whereas further studies with an advanced design are suggested.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesca Gorini & Giorgio Iervasi & Alessio Coi & Letizia Pitto & Fabrizio Bianchi, 2018. "The Role of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Thyroid Carcinogenesis: Is It a Weak Hypothesis or a Hidden Reality? From Facts to New Perspectives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-24, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:9:p:1834-:d:165671
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xuemin Zhao & Hailong Wang & Jing Li & Zhongyan Shan & Weiping Teng & Xiaochun Teng, 2015. "The Correlation between Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) and Thyroid Hormones in the General Population: A Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(5), pages 1-17, May.
    2. Te-I Weng & Mei-Huei Chen & Guang-Wen Lien & Pai-Shan Chen & Jasper Chia-Cheng Lin & Cheng-Chung Fang & Pau-Chung Chen, 2017. "Effects of Gender on the Association of Urinary Phthalate Metabolites with Thyroid Hormones in Children: A Prospective Cohort Study in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-23, January.
    3. Marta Benedetti & Amerigo Zona & Eleonora Beccaloni & Mario Carere & Pietro Comba, 2017. "Incidence of Breast, Prostate, Testicular, and Thyroid Cancer in Italian Contaminated Sites with Presence of Substances with Endocrine Disrupting Properties," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-11, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Robert G. Poston & Ramendra N. Saha, 2019. "Epigenetic Effects of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers on Human Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-13, July.
    2. Letizia Pitto & Francesca Gorini & Fabrizio Bianchi & Elena Guzzolino, 2020. "New Insights into Mechanisms of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Thyroid Diseases: The Epigenetic Way," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-18, October.
    3. Marta Benedetti & Amerigo Zona & Paolo Contiero & Eleonora D’Armiento & Ivano Iavarone & AIRTUM Working Group, 2020. "Incidence of Thyroid Cancer in Italian Contaminated Sites," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-16, December.
    4. Francesca Gorini & Elisa Bustaffa & Alessio Coi & Giorgio Iervasi & Fabrizio Bianchi, 2020. "Bisphenols as Environmental Triggers of Thyroid Dysfunction: Clues and Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-46, April.

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