Maternal exposure to diethylstilbestrol during pregnancy and increased breast cancer risk in daughters.

ABSTRACT: The idea that susceptibility to breast cancer is determined not only through inherited germline mutations but also by epigenetic changes induced by alterations in hormonal environment during fetal development is gaining increasing support. Using findings obtained in human and animal studies, this review addresses the mechanisms that may explain why daughters of mothers who took synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) during pregnancy have two times higher breast cancer risk than women who were not exposed to it. The mechanisms likely involve epigenetic alterations, such as increased DNA methylation and modifications in histones and microRNA expression.Further, these alterations may target genes that regulate stem cells and prevent differentiation of their daughter cells. Recent finding

SUBMITTER: Hilakivi-Clarke L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4053091 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature