# Influence of environmental endocrine disruptors and carcinogenesis

> **NIH NIH R03** · RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES · 2024 · $78,500

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Breast cancer affects many women in their lifetime. A major challenge remains how to reduce breast cancer risk
as well as to understand what causes breast cancer. Two-thirds of breast cancer diagnosed in patients belong
to estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. Many chemicals, with similar structure to estrogen, have been
suggested to mimic the biological functions of estrogen, potentially contributing to the initiation or progression of
breast cancer. Environmental estrogenic endocrine disruptor contaminants, such as bisphenols, phthalates and
zeranols, have been known to have estrogenic activity in cell culture and animal models. However, the impact
of endocrine disruptors on breast cancer development in humans remains unclear. We hypothesize that
endocrine disruptors, by increasing breast cancer stem cells and altering tumor metabolism, promote the
development of breast cancer. The objectives of this project are to determine impact of endocrine disruptors in
breast cancer development and to understand mechanisms of endocrine disruptors in alteration of cancer stem
cells and metabolome leading to accelerating ER-positive breast cancer. We propose two Specific Aims as
follows. In Aim 1, using the estrogen sensitive ACI strain, we will investigate the impact of endocrine disruptors
on the mammary gland proliferation in vivo. We will test three representative classes of common environmental
endocrine disruptors, bisphenols, phthalates and zeranols for this Aim. In Aim 2, we will determine endocrine
disruptors-induced alteration of breast cancer stem cells and cell metabolism in the ER-positive breast cancer
model. MCF-7 mammosphere culture and MCF-7 xenografted tumor models will be utilized to investigate the
role of endocrine disruptors in enhancing cancer stem cells and altering tumor metabolism in vitro and in vivo.
We will test three representative classes of endocrine disruptors, bisphenols, phthalates and zeranols in vitro.
Selected endocrine disruptors will be further evaluated for in vivo tumor studies. Endocrine disruptors have long
been suggested for its potential role in promoting cancer development and progression. This project seeks to
understand the mechanism of endocrine disruptors in the mammary tumorigenesis by focusing on cancer stem
cells and metabolism shift. Environmental factors and lifestyle have led to significant changes in breast cancer
risks. Our study with endocrine disruptors could provide the valuable link between environmental exposures and
human health.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10790448
- **Project number:** 1R03ES035958-01
- **Recipient organization:** RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Nanjoo Suh
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $78,500
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-01-23 → 2025-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10790448

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10790448, Influence of environmental endocrine disruptors and carcinogenesis (1R03ES035958-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10790448. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*