Aluminium and breast cancer: Sources of exposure, tissue measurements and mechanisms of toxicological actions on breast biology

• Evidence is reviewed linking aluminium (Al) with the aetiology of breast cancer.
• Al has been measured in human breast tissue structures.
• Al induces suspension growth & DNA strand breaks in nontransformed breast cells.
• Al increases migration/invasion of human breast cancer cells.
• Biomarkers of adverse impact of Al on the breast microenvironment are described.

This review examines recent evidence linking exposure to aluminium with the aetiology of breast cancer. The human population is exposed to aluminium throughout daily life including through diet, application of antiperspirants, use of antacids and vaccination. Aluminium has now been measured in a range of human breast structures at higher levels than in blood serum and experimental evidence suggests that the tissue concentrations measured have the potential to adversely influence breast epithelial cells including generation of genomic instability, induction of anchorage-independent proliferation and interference in oestrogen action. The presence of aluminium in the human breast may also alter the breast microenvironment causing disruption to iron metabolism, oxidative damage to cellular components, inflammatory responses and alterations to the motility of cells. The main research need is now to investigate whether the concentrations of aluminium measured in the human breast can lead in vivo to any of the effects observed in cells in vitro and this would be aided by the identification of biomarkers specific for aluminium action.

Review: Aluminium has been measured in a range of human breast structures at higher levels than in blood serum. Experimental evidence shows that at these tissue concentrations, aluminium has the potential to adversely influence breast epithelial cells and the breast microenvironment leading to alterations associated with carcinogenesis, progression and metastasis.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide