Mechanism of arsenic carcinogenesis: an integrated approach.
Epidemiological evidence shows an association between inorganic arsenic in drinking water and increased risk of skin, lung and bladder cancers. The lack of animal models has hindered mechanistic studies of arsenic carcinogenesis in the past, but some promising new models for these cancers are now available. The various forms of arsenic to which humans are exposed, either directly or via metabolism of inorganic arsenic to various methylated forms, further complicate the issue of mechanism, since these compounds can have different effects, both genotoxic and non-genotoxic. This review will try to integrate all of these issues, with a strong bias toward effects that are produced by environmentally relevant arsenic concentrations.
Rossman
Toby G
TG
Kaplan Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, 57 Old Forge Road, Tuxedo, NY 10987, USA. rossman@env.med.nyu.edu
D000818:Animals; D001151:Arsenic / Q000633:toxicity*; D018053:Arsenites / Q000633:toxicity; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D002455:Cell Division; D043171:Chromosomal Instability; D004249:DNA Damage; D019175:DNA Methylation; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005784:Gene Amplification; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced*
D018053:Arsenites; D002273:Carcinogens; D001151:Arsenic