Stroma Insights: Potential Mechanism for Arsenic-Induced Prostate Cancer

Julia R. Barrett, MS, ELS, a Madison, WI–based science writer and editor, is a member of the National Association of Science Writers and the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences. About This Article open Citation: Barrett JR. 2016. Stroma insights: potential mechanism for arsenic-induced prostate cancer. Environ Health Perspect 124:A130; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.124-A130 Published: 1 July 2016 PDF Version (668 KB) Related EHP Article Inorganic Arsenic–Related Changes in the Stromal Tumor Microenvironment in a Prostate Cancer Cell–Conditioned Media Model Joseph J. Shearer, Eric A. Wold, Charles S. Umbaugh, Cheryl F. Lichti, Carol L. Nilsson, and Marxa L. Figueiredo There is epidemiological evidence that exposure to inorganic arsenic may cause prostate cancer, but the molecular mechanisms to explain the potential relationship remain unclear.1,2 A new study in EHP looks beyond epithelial prostate cells—the cells most often studied in prostate cancer—to focus on stromal cells, a cell type that normally provides a supportive function. The findings suggest that inorganic arsenic primes these stromal cells to enhance the progression of cancer.1 Arsenic is naturally present in underground water, with hot spots of contamination worldwide.3 Drinking water from these aquifers is a primary source of arsenic exposure, and more than 200 million people are estimated to drink water that exceeds the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of...
Source: EHP Research - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Featured News Science Selection July 2016 Source Type: research