Dietary mycotoxins, co-exposure, and carcinogenesis in humans: Short review

• Published in: Mutation research. Reviews in mutation research Vol. 766; pp. 32 - 41
• Main Authors: De Ruyck, Karl, De Boevre, Marthe, Huybrechts, Inge, De Saeger, Sarah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.10.2015
• Subjects: Carcinogenesis; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic - chemically induced; Colorectal cancer; Dietary Supplements - adverse effects; Food Contamination; Hepatocellular cancer; Humans; Mycotoxin carcinogenicity; Mycotoxin co-exposure; Mycotoxins; Mycotoxins - adverse effects; Neoplasms - chemically induced; Poisons - adverse effects; Mycotoxin co-exposure; Carcinogenesis; Mycotoxins; Colorectal cancer; Mycotoxin carcinogenicity; Hepatocellular cancer
• ISSN: 1383-5742; 1388-2139; 1388-2139
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2015.07.003

Mycotoxins, toxic secondary metabolites of fungi, affect global agriculture so prolifically that they are virtually ubiquitous at some concentration in the average human diet. Studies of in vitro and in vivo toxicity are discussed, leading to investigations of co-exposed mycotoxins, as well as carcinogenic effects. Some of the most common and toxicologically significant mycotoxins, such as the aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisins, deoxynivalenol, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, patulin, zearalenone, and some ergot alkaloids are outlined. The wide variety of pathogenic mechanisms these compounds employ are shown capable of inducing a complex set of interactions. Of particular note are potential synergisms between mycotoxins with regard to carcinogenic attributable risk, indicating an important field for future study.