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Updated: May 6, 2026

In Vitro Scratch Assay to Demonstrate Effects of Arsenic on Skin Cell Migration

In Vitro Scratch Assay to Demonstrate Effects of Arsenic on Skin Cell Migration

Published on: February 23, 2019

Human carcinogenesis by arsenic.

¹Carcinogenesis and Metabolism Branch, MD-68, Genetic Toxicology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, 27711, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.

Environmental Geochemistry and Health

|November 8, 2013

Summary

Arsenic is a known human carcinogen, but lacks a reliable animal cancer model. This review examines arsenic

Area of Science:

Toxicology
Carcinogenesis
Epidemiology

Background:

Arsenic is a recognized human carcinogen, primarily identified through epidemiological studies.
The lack of a reliable animal model complicates the mechanistic classification of arsenic's carcinogenic role (initiator, promoter, etc.).

Purpose of the Study:

To review scientifically based issues concerning arsenic and its role in risk assessment.
To address the challenges in characterizing arsenic's carcinogenic mechanisms due to the absence of animal models.

Main Methods:

Review of existing human epidemiological data on arsenic carcinogenicity.
Analysis of in vitro and in vivo studies on arsenic's genotoxic effects.
Discussion of mechanistic studies on arsenic's transformation of mammalian cells.

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Last Updated: May 6, 2026

In Vitro Scratch Assay to Demonstrate Effects of Arsenic on Skin Cell Migration

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Published on: February 23, 2019

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Formation of Covalent DNA Adducts by Enzymatically Activated Carcinogens and Drugs In Vitro and Their Determination by 32P-postlabeling

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Published on: March 20, 2018

Main Results:

Arsenic is a genotoxic agent, inducing chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei, and sister chromatid exchange in mammalian cells.
Arsenic has been shown to neoplastically transform Syrian hamster embryo cells.
Arsenic does not function as a classical point mutagen.

Conclusions:

The genotoxicity of arsenic supports its classification as a carcinogen.
The absence of a suitable animal model presents significant challenges for detailed mechanistic understanding and risk assessment.
Further research is needed to bridge the gap between human data and mechanistic insights for accurate risk assessment.