Asian Journal of Development Matters
Year : 2010, Volume : 4, Issue : 1
First page : ( 1) Last page : ( 11)
Print ISSN : 0973-9637.

The Role of PAH on Cancers

Kasbparast Elham, Independent Researcher

Iran.

Address for correspondence: e-mail: elhamelham.kasbparast@gmail.com

Abstract

Environmental factors play a pivotal role in human cancer. A myriad of pollutants present in the air we breathe, in the water we drink, and in the food we eat are known or suspected cancer-causing agents. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent a prototype class for such environmental toxins. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exert their carcinogenic activity through binding to genomic DNA. The demonstration of the metabolic activation of PAH to DNA adducts has led to several studies intended to demonstrate a causal relationship between DNA adduct levels and the potent mutagenicity of this class of pollutants. This article presents the role of DNA adduct formation in PAH mutagenicity and mutations induced by PAH DNA adducts in ‘Cancer Genes’ to review and Comparison of past studies.

The most important findings of the study are that the triggering of mutagenesis by DNA adducts to be a major mechanism by which PAHs exert their carcinogenic effects. Currently, the focus of attention is on the identity of DNA adducts, which specifically induce mutations in cancer related genes, e.g., oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in the human genome. The goal is to validate certain types of DNA adducts that are of most relevance for carcinogenesis as the biomarkers of early effects and susceptibility for cancer. The ultimate hope is to use such validated biomarkers in evaluating the effectiveness of preventive strategies for cancer.

Top

Keywords

Development, urban development, economic development, regional development urban management, urban plans, urban planning.

Top