A study published in Scientific Reports investigated whether widely used environmental chemicals, bisphenol A (BPA), nonylphenol (NP) and octylphenol (OP), may be linked to breast cancer through their effects on biological pathways.
These substances are classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), meaning they can interfere with hormonal activity in the body, particularly pathways related to oestrogen. As breast cancer is influenced by hormonal regulation, the authors suggest that such disruptions may play a role in the onset and progression of the disease.
Using bioinformatics and machine learning approaches, the researchers identified 156 shared molecular targets between these chemicals and breast cancer-related genes. These targets were involved in pathways associated with hormone signalling, immune responses, and cell growth. Several key genes were also highlighted as potentially important in mediating these effects.
Phenolic endocrine-disrupting chemicals are widely used in plastics, food packaging, and other consumer products, and exposure may occur through diet, skin contact, and inhalation. However, this study is based on computational modelling rather than direct experimental or population data. Whilst the findings suggest potential biological links, further research is needed to determine whether these mechanisms translate into real-world health risks.
Dou, Y., Li, X., Li, M., Shang, J., & Xu, T. (2026). The contribution of phenolic endocrine-disrupting chemicals to breast cancer risk: A comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. Scientific Reports, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-39706-x
