Autophagy in arsenic carcinogenesis

Exp Toxicol Pathol. 2014 Jul;66(4):163-8. doi: 10.1016/j.etp.2014.01.004. Epub 2014 Feb 20.

Abstract

Chronic exposure to arsenic may cause cancer. Many mechanisms have been suggested for arsenic carcinogenesis. Autophagy, an evolutionarily conserved cellular catabolic mechanism, has been implicated in cancer biology. Although being claimed as a type of cell death, autophagy may actually serve as a cell self-defense mechanism. In this review article, current understandings of the mechanisms of arsenic carcinogenesis, functions of autophagy and the role of autophagy in arsenic carcinogenesis are discussed.

Keywords: Arsenic; Autophagy; Carcinogenesis; Oxidative stress.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arsenic / toxicity*
  • Autophagy / drug effects*
  • Chromosome Aberrations / chemically induced
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / chemically induced*
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity*

Substances

  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Arsenic