J Cancer Prev.  2015 Dec;20(4):232-240. 10.15430/JCP.2015.20.4.232.

An Overview of Carcinogenic Heavy Metal: Molecular Toxicity Mechanism and Prevention

• Kim HS
• Kim YJ
• Seo YR

• KMID: 2380875
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15430/JCP.2015.20.4.232

Abstract

Almost all heavy metals are serious toxicants as carcinogens. However, due to their chemical and physiological properties, heavy metals are useful in industrial areas including alloy, smelting and production of commercial products. Such applications increase the opportunity for heavy metal exposure. Waste from industrial processes is also a major source of environmental contamination and accumulation in the human body. Arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and nickel are classified as group 1 carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and are utilized commercially. In this review, we used molecular pathway analysis to understand the toxicity and carcinogenic mechanisms of these metals. Our analyzed data showed that above-mentioned metallic substances induce oxidative stress, DNA damage, and cell death processes, resulting in increase the risk of cancer and cancer-related diseases. Thus, we might think phytochelatin molecules and antioxidative phytochemical substances are helpful for prevention of heavy metal-induced cancer.

Keyword

Carcinogenic heavy metals; Molecular mechanism; Pathway analysis; Cancer prevention

MeSH Terms

Alloys
Arsenic
Cadmium
Carcinogens
Cell Death
Chromium
DNA Damage
Human Body
International Agencies
Metals
Metals, Heavy
Nickel
Osmeriformes
Oxidative Stress
Phytochelatins
Alloys
Arsenic
Cadmium
Carcinogens
Chromium
Metals
Metals, Heavy
Nickel
Phytochelatins