Epigenetic reveals early breast cancer development

Changing the epigenetic code of a single gene is enough to cause a healthy breast cell to begin a chain reaction and become abnormal, Epigenetic changes are a hallmark of cancer, but up until now, it has not been known whether these changes on their own are sufficient to push healthy cells down the cancer path.

 Using a CRISPR-dCas9 epigenetic editing tool, the researchers methylated different genes in healthy breast cells and found that those changes were sufficient to cause the cells to undergo hyperproliferation - abnormally rapid cell division which is an early stage of tumour initiation.

The epigenetic changes are inherited as long as the cell divides, and that the team's manipulations permanently and negatively affected the biology of a normal breast cell from a healthy individual. Epigenetic editing could also be used to design novel therapies by initiating permanent changes to cell biology.

This may be a more viable or alternative way forward for gene editing as any potential mistakes would be less damaging than directly editing the DNA sequence, and epigenetic editing would be more easily reversible if needed. Epigenetic fluctuations happen all the time in human cells. During ageing, human epigenome is progressively distorted.
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Links between environmental chemicals and breast cancer

Exposure to environmental chemicals, early in life, contributes to the development of breast cancer, there are more than two hundred chemicals that cause mammary tumors in animals and provided a roadmap for studying these chemicals in humans. Researchers conducted a systematic search and identified some epidemiology studies that exposure to chemicals early in life: in the womb, during puberty, and through pregnancy increases the risk of developing breast cancer later in life.

For instance, early exposure to DDT, dioxins, the highly-fluorinated chemical PFOSA, and air pollution, is associated with a two- to five-fold increased risk of breast cancer. Early exposure in the workplace to high levels of organic solvents and gasoline components is also a risk factor. During these windows of susceptibility, the body is changing, breast cells are dividing quickly, and the breast tissue becomes vulnerable to damage from chemicals. Variations in genes can also affect how people's bodies respond to certain environmental chemicals.

Among women exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs-a chemical in vehicle exhaust, those with certain genetic variants had a higher risk of developing breast cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer IARC classified outdoor air pollution as a human carcinogen.

Some of the components of air pollution have been shown to cause breast tumors in animals. The use of chemicals in every day consumer products has also increased the risk of cancer. Many consumer product chemicals, like BPA and phthalates, are endocrine disruptors. They interfere with the body's hormones and can produce effects at low doses.

Results from animal studies suggest a link between breast cancer and endocrine disruptors. Breast cancer can take years to develop after chemical exposure, it is the most common cancer in women across the globe, pharmaceutical hormones, exercise, and other lifestyle factors can the risk of developing breast cancer. Consumers can take some steps to reduce their exposures by choosing safer products
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