Exploring Retene's Tumour-Initiating Potential: Integrating Computational and Experimental Approaches

Currently, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies 16 PAHs as priority pollutants, including seven carcinogenic compounds [1]. Nevertheless, numerous nonlisted PAHs may also contribute to carcinogenic effects, including Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and dibenzo[a,h]anthracene [2]. Retene (RET, 1-methyl-7-isopropylphenanthrene) is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) primarily formed during the combustion of coniferous wood and is a significant component of atmospheric particulate matter from forest fires [3, 4]. Metabolic and mechanistic studies suggest that RET induces genotoxicity and chromosomal alterations through oxidative stress [3], raising concerns about its potential carcinogenicity. Although RET is structurally similar to well-known carcinogenic PAHs, its toxicological risks remain poorly investigated.

Structure–activity relationship (SAR) models and in vivo studies are widely used to predict toxicity and assess carcinogenic potential [5]. PAHs are known to induce skin carcinogenesis via metabolic activation in dermal models [6], highlighting the relevance of such approaches. Given the limited data on RET's carcinogenic effects, this study aims to evaluate its tumour-initiating potential using SAR predictions and an in vivo Swiss albino mouse model. To our knowledge, no previous studies have explored RET's involvement in carcinogenesis, and our findings could help clarify its underestimated toxicological impact.

According to Danish(Q)SAR calibrated for Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells (Table 1), RET, B[a]P and DMBA showed positive results for malignant transformation. Furthermore, structural alerts of the type genotoxic carcinogenicity were detected for all PAHs investigated using ToxTree (Table 1). Moreover, when organ-specific carcinogenicity was analysed using the ROSC-Pred calibrated for rodents, RET, B[a]P and DMBA were predicted to induce tumours in different organs or tissues, such as skin, lung, liver, and kidney (Supporting Information S2).

The compounds RET, B[a]P and DMBA did not induce changes in body weight (F_6,34 = 1.203, p = 0.32) or increase mortality (p > 0.42) (Supporting Information S3). Water (F_15,90 = 1.428, p = 0.15) and food intake (F_2,40 = 0.904, p = 0.43) remained unchanged among the experimental groups (Supporting Information S3). After 16 weeks of chemical exposure (Figure 1A), the B[a]P, RET 10 μM and 30 μM groups developed papules, fungiform nodules and isolated leukoplastic plaques. In contrast, the SC and RET 10 μM groups exhibited skin thickening, wrinkling, minor ulcers and scaly hyperkeratosis, likely resulting from continuous acetone application. The InL varied significantly among groups (F_6,34 = 8.601, p < 0.0001) (Figure 1B). The RET 40 μM group presented a significantly higher InL than SC (p = 0.03). In contrast, RET 20 and 30 μM displayed InL values comparable to B[a]P but significantly lower than DMBA (p = 0.005 and p = 0.009, respectively).

Histologically (Figure 2), the SC group exhibited hyperkeratosis, epithelial atrophy, desquamative hyperkeratosis, ulceration and focal inflammation. Similar changes were observed in RET 10 μM, with occasional blunt exophytic papillae. The B[a]P 20 μM, RET 30 μM and RET 40 μM groups displayed prominent warty hyperkeratinized epitelial projections. Mild epithelial dysplasia and papillomas with foci os pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia were noted in B[a]P (66.6%) and RET 40 μM (83.3%). Invasive squamous cell carcinoma developed only in DMBA-treated specimens (60%), whereas papilloma with increased mitotic activity and epithelial dysplasia were identified in the remaining 40% of cases.

The mouse skin initiation-promotion model is a well-established tool for assessing the carcinogenic potential of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). It provides standardized and reproducible data with clear endpoints [11]. Unlike systemic models, dermal exposure allows localized treatment, reducing systemic toxicity and aligning with ethical considerations. Regulatory agencies utilize these data to evaluate PAH potency and associated carcinogenic risks in humans [12]. This study is the first to suggest that RET may play a role in carcinogenesis, as supported by both in silico and in vivo findings.

The high lesion index (InL) observed in the RET 40 μM, B[a]P 10 μM and DMBA 10 μM groups suggest that RET may contribute to skin carcinogenesis. Histopathological evaluation revealed epithelial dysplasia and focal infiltrative epithelial proliferation in RET 40 μM–treated animals, consistent with chemical carcinogenesis. Additionally, RET-induced oxidative stress reinforces its genotoxic potential [3], as reactive metabolites can interact with DNA, leading to mutations. Previous studies have demonstrated RET's genotoxicity in vitro and zebrafish models [3, 13], while in silico analysis further supports its involvement in skin cancer development. Oxidative stress, a hallmark of PAH exposure, is known to compromise antioxidant defences and promote chronic inflammation via the upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, thereby contributing to tumorigenesis [14]. The pronounced inflammatory response observed in RET 40 μM-treated animals reinforces the critical role of inflammation in carcinogenic progression.

PAHs, including B[a]P and DMBA, promote carcinogenesis through metabolic activation and epigenetic modifications [6]. RET may follow a similar mechanism, particularly during the promotion phase of PAH-induced skin carcinogenesis. This phase involves key gene mutations in epidermal keratinocytes, primarily mediated by cytochrome P450 enzyme metabolites [10]. While B[a]P and DMBA undergo metabolic conversion to highly reactive diol epoxide intermediates; RET is metabolized into ortho-quinones, which can form DNA adducts and disrupt replication fidelity.

Histological analysis revealed that B[a]P 10 μM and RET 40 μM exposure predominantly induced papillomatous epithelial tumours, whereas DMBA 10 μM exposure resulted in invasive squamous cell carcinomas. This suggests that RET may preferentially promote nonmalignant or exophytic tumours rather than aggressive invasive variants. Differences in tumour histopathology between RET and DMBA exposure imply distinct underlying mechanisms of carcinogenesis, potentially involving variations in oncogenic pathway activation, cellular receptor interactions or the ability to induce inflammation and tissue remodelling. These findings highlight the need for further investigation into the molecular mechanisms underlying RET-induced proliferative effects and its potential role as a tumour promoter, particularly in environmental exposure to PAHs.

Study limitations include reliance on structure-based predictive models, the use of single-sex and strain and a study duration of fewer than 18 months, which may limit extrapolation to human risk. Additionally, molecular and biochemical analyses were not performed, as the study primarily focused on histopathological endpoints. However, including well-characterized carcinogenic PAHs provides a robust comparative framework for evaluating RET's biological effects.

In summary, this study suggests that RET, an environmental contaminant, may possess both tumour-initiating and tumour-promoting properties, as demonstrated by computational modelling and in vivo experimentation. Further research is needed to elucidate its toxicokinetics and potential implications for human carcinogenic risk, particularly concerning respiratory exposure from forest fire emissions.