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Metals and metal compounds in carcinogenesis

Bernard Desoize1

  • 1Laboratoire de Biochimie et de Biologie Moléculaire, Faculté de Pharmacie, 51 rue Cognac-Jay, IFR-53, EA 3306, 51096 Reims, France. bernard.desoize@univ-reims.fr

In Vivo (Athens, Greece)
|February 5, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Several metals like chromium, arsenic, and nickel are potent mutagens and carcinogens, often acting through reactive oxygen species (ROS). While some metals pose risks, others like arsenic also show therapeutic potential in cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental toxicology
  • Molecular carcinogenesis
  • Metal-induced toxicity

Background:

  • Certain metals and metal compounds are recognized as significant mutagens and carcinogens.
  • Chromium, arsenic, nickel, vanadium, iron, copper, and manganese are frequently implicated in such effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the mechanisms by which metals induce mutagenicity and carcinogenicity.
  • To highlight the dual role of certain metals, such as arsenic, in both causing and treating cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on metal toxicity and carcinogenicity.
  • Analysis of proposed mechanisms involving reactive oxygen species (ROS).
  • Examination of specific metal effects, including nickel's modulation of gene expression and arsenic's impact on cell metabolism.

Main Results:

  • Most metal-induced mechanisms are believed to involve reactive oxygen species (ROS).
  • Nickel can alter gene expression through DNA methylation and histone acetylation changes.
  • Long-term, low-level arsenic exposure may induce cell transformation, yet arsenic also possesses anti-cancer therapeutic properties.
  • Manganese can cause DNA damage but has a low carcinogenic risk; magnesium deficiency and iron excess are linked to cancer risk.

Conclusions:

  • Metals play a complex role in carcinogenesis, with diverse mechanisms.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for both prevention and therapeutic strategies.
  • The dual nature of some metals, like arsenic, warrants further investigation for cancer treatment applications.

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