According to a new study published in Journal of Hazardous Materials, two types of PFAS - PFOS and its supposedly safer substitute 6:2 Cl-PFESA - may make chemotherapy treatments for pancreatic cancer less effective.
In short:
- While both chemicals reduced the effectiveness of a chemotherapy drug, the substitute had an even stronger impact.
- Studies have suggested that PFAS may have a similar effect on treatments for both endometrial and ovarian cancers.
- This study adds to the growing evidence that environmental pollutants can increase drug resistance in tumors.
Key quote:
“Despite 6:2 Cl-PFESA being regarded as a safer substitute for PFOS, its pronounced effect on chemotherapeutic resistance in [pancreatic cancer] necessitates a thorough evaluation of its potential risks.”
Why this matters:
PFAS chemicals - which are found in a wide range of industrial and consumer products - are associated with severe health effects including an increased risk of cancer, liver and kidney damage, and developmental issues in babies and children. While regulations have restricted the use of older forms of PFAS, industry has created a host of new PFAS substitutes and put them to use without proper testing for health risks. This study points to the need to address widespread exposure to newer, untested chemical substitutes that are not covered by current regulatory structures.
Related EHN coverage:
- Op-ed: After decades of disinformation, the US finally begins regulating PFAS chemicals
- 2024 could be a big year for PFAS bans: Report
- Regulating chemicals by class: A task of surgical precision
More resources:
- Northeastern University hosts the PFAS Project Lab, which provides resources such as the PFAS toxicology database and information on contamination sites.
- Safer Statestracks U.S. state-level chemical legislation, including the bills regulating PFAS.
Hong, Jaiwei et al. for Journal of Hazardous Materials vol. 474. Aug. 5, 2024
