Carcinogenicity of hexavalent chromium
Holmes, A.L.; Wise, S.S.; Wise, J.P.
Indian Journal of Medical Research 128(4): 353-372
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5340 PMID: 19106434 Document Number: 619680
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.