PFAS exposure, high-fat diet drive prostate cells’ metabolism into pro-cancer state

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Exposure to PFAS – a class of synthetic chemicals utilized in food wrappers, nonstick cookware and other products – reprograms the metabolism of benign and malignant human prostate cells to a more energy efficient state that enables the cells to proliferate at three times the rate of nonexposed cells, a new study in mice found. However, consuming a high-fat diet significantly accelerated development of tumors in the PFAS-exposed mice, the scientists said.

Zeynep Madak-Erdogan, professor of food science and human nutrition, is principal investigator on the project. Read more from the Illinois News Bureau.