Submission Date

7-21-2016

Document Type

Paper

Department

Biology

Faculty Mentor

Rebecca Roberts

Comments

Presented during the 18th Annual Summer Fellows Symposium, July 22, 2016 at Ursinus College.

Project Description

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are chemicals that disturb the endocrine system and exhibit adverse effects throughout the body. EDCs exert their effects by displaying hormone-like activity and can act as agonists or antagonists to normal hormonal function. Those EDCs that disturb the activity of estrogen are of particular interest. Estrogen, also known as 17β-estradiol, is a steroid hormone responsible for the development of the female sexual organs, secondary sexual characteristics, bone development and maintenance, and cardiovascular development. It has also been shown to play a role in the growth of certain breast cancers. Endocrine disrupting compounds that are structurally similar to that of 17β-estradiol can interfere with the normal activity of estrogen. These chemicals are commonly referred to as estrogenic monomers and environmental estrogens. Bisphenol A (BPA) is just one EDC that is classified as an estrogenic monomer, and is a plasticizer widely used in the manufacturing of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resin linings. BPA is able to leach from products, especially food and drink containers, and is then consumed. BPA-free products have become increasingly popular as awareness of the EDC has grown. However, similar estrogenic monomers have been used to replace BPA, and may include the bisphenol analogs, bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF). Estrogenic monomers such as BPA have already been shown to increase proliferation of breast cancer. We will study the effects of BPA, BPS, and BPF on the proliferation of breast cancer, using the cell line MCF-7 as a model.

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Available for download on Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Open Access

Available to all.

Included in

Biology Commons

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