ABSTRACT
Control of cell proliferation is a topic of central relevance to the understanding of carcinogenesis. We have recently reviewed the premises adopted by experimentalists to study the control of cell proliferation, as well as the application of these premises to the study of the role of sex steroids in the proliferation of their target cells (Sonnenschein and Soto, 1999). In this chapter, we will review the role of estrogens in the development of neoplasias within their target organs. Researchers have postulated that environmental estrogens may be the underlying cause for the increase of testicular cancer, undescended testis, and malformations of the male genital tract during the last half of this century (Sharpe et al., 1993; see Chap. 10). The role of other sex steroids, such as that of androgens in relation to carcinogenesis, will not be discussed. Although androgens are a main factor in the development of prostate cancer at the present time, there is no evidence that environmental contaminants act as androgen mimics. Some environmental contaminants, however, do possess antiandrogenic properties (Kelce et al., 1994, 1995). Although these antiandrogenic compounds may disrupt the development of the male genital tract, it is not yet known whether they play a role in carcinogenesis.
