Carcinogenicity of hexavalent chromium.
Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), a commonly used industrial metal, is a well known human lung carcinogen. Epidemiology and animal studies suggest that the particulate Cr(VI) compounds, specifically the water insoluble compounds, are the more potent carcinogens; however, the carcinogenic mechanism remains unknown. Here we summarize recent Cr(VI)-induced human tumour, in vivo, cell culture and in vitro studies and put the data into context with three major paradigms of carcinogenesis: multistage carcinogenesis, genomic instability, and epigenetic modifications. Based on these studies, we propose a mechanism for chromate carcinogenesis that is primarily driven by the genomic instability paradigm.
Holmes
A L
AL
Wise Laboratory of Environmental & Genetic Toxicology, Maine Center for Toxicology & Environmental Health, University of Southern Maine, 96 Falmouth St., Portland, ME 04104, USA.
Wise
S S
SS
Wise
J P
JP
D000818:Animals; D015197:Carcinogenicity Tests; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D002857:Chromium / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans
D002273:Carcinogens; D002857:Chromium