Arsenic-induced Cancers: A Review with Special Reference to Gene, Environment and Their Interaction

Abstract

Chronic exposure to the toxic metalloid arsenic, either through occupational or environmental route results in the development of a plethora of dermatological as well as non-dermatological health eŠects, multi-organ cancers being the most severe ones. Several epidemiological studies have reported the occurrence of diŠerent types of cancers in populations exposed chronically to arsenic from diŠerent corners of the globe, but the spectrum of symptoms and severity vary widely. Several genetic and environmental factors might play an important causal role for such observed diŠerences, including genetic polymorphisms, dietary habits and socioeconomic status of the population. Unfortunately, the paradoxical nature of this carcinogen makes the use of animal model systems unsuitable, since they do not re‰ect the exact in vivo condition of arsenic exposure in human beings. Hence, in this present review, we have attempted to collate the isolated pieces of information available in existing literature depicting the various forms of arsenic-induced cancers, variations and etiology thereof. We have attempted to depict the entire spectrum of carcinogenic outcomes of chronic arsenic exposure and the interactions among several components like, genes (polymorphisms and mutations), environmental factors and dietary factors in the process. The literature reviews are primarily based on the human beings (in vivo), but to understand the underlying mechanism, we have also collated the information based on cell line models, and animal models where human data is scanty or unavailable. Thus, here we present a comprehensive review on the current state of research in theˆeld of arsenic-induced cancer and explore the underlying mechanism of arsenic-induced carcinogenicity, along with relevant historical perspective.

Dynamic alteration in miRNA and mRNA expression profiles at different stages of chronic arsenic exposure-induced carcinogenesis in a human cell culture model of skin cancer

“…Arsenic exposure is the second leading cause of skin cancer after UV in sunlight (Surdu 2014 ). Arsenic-induced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is common in exposed human populations (Banerjee 2011 ) and is extremely invasive with a high rate of recurrence and fatality (Waldman and Schmults 2019 ). Although studied extensively, molecular mechanisms of arsenic-induced skin carcinogenesis are still controversial [reviewed in (Hunt et al 2014 )].…”

Impacts of wastewater discharge from Kalar city on Diyala-Sirwan river water quality, Iraq: pollution evaluation, health risks of heavy metals contamination

“…The carcinogenic risk of As, which is determined as an incremental probability in lifetime risk that might cause cancer for any individual as a result of drinking water consumption or through dermal exposure (Iqbal and Shah 2013), might cause many serious kinds of cancer in the human body like cancer of liver, lung, kidney, skin, and bladder (Banerjee et al 2011). Regarding health risk assessment, it is worth mentioning that the approach applied in this study involves parameters of SF, K p , and RfD might not be exactly compatible with Iraqi conditions.…”

Temporal Modulation of Differential Alternative Splicing in HaCaT Human Keratinocyte Cell Line Chronically Exposed to Arsenic for up to 28 Wk

“…2014 ). Skin cancers, including cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), basal cell carcinoma, and Bowen’s disease are the most common malignant outcomes of chronic arsenic exposure ( Banerjee et al. 2011 ).…”