Mechanisms of arsenic carcinogenicity: genetic or epigenetic mechanisms?
Environmental and occupational exposure to arsenic is associated with increased risk of skin, urinary bladder, and respiratory tract cancers. The mechanisms responsible for arsenic carcinogenesis have not been established. Arsenic does not act through classic genotoxic and mutagenic mechanisms, as do other metals such as cadmium or chromium. Increasing evidence indicates that arsenic acts at the level of tumor promotion by modulating the signaling pathways responsible for cell growth.
Simeonova
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Toxicology and Molecular Biology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505-2888, USA. phs9@cdc.gov
Luster
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D000818:Animals; D001151:Arsenic / Q000633:toxicity*; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000235:genetics*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics
D002273:Carcinogens; D001151:Arsenic