Iron and liver cancer.
Mechanisms whereby iron may act in carcinogenesis are induction of oxidative stress, facilitation of tumor growth, and modification of the immune system. Results of clinical and epidemiologic studies demonstrate a strong association between iron excess (even at mild levels) and the development of cancer at any site, but they do not indicate whether this reflects a causal link or an indirect association through other factors (i.e., aging, alcohol consumption, and insulin resistance). Findings obtained from experimental work are not conclusive with respect to a direct carcinogenic role of iron, but they support a carcinogenic or co-carcinogenic role of iron in chemically induced carcinogenesis.
Deugnier
Yves
Y
Clinique des Maladies du Foie and Centre d'Investigation Clinique, CHU Pontchaillou, 35033 Rennes, France. yves.deugnier@univ-rennes1.fr
D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000235:genetics; D000071020:Hemochromatosis Protein; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000187:drug effects; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000150:complications; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D009154:Mutation; D018384:Oxidative Stress
C103673:HFE protein, human; D000071020:Hemochromatosis Protein; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D007501:Iron