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Sulforaphane belongs to the active class of isothiocyanates capable of delivering various biological benefits for health promotion and disease prevention. This compound is considered vital to curtail numerous metabolic disorders. Various studies have proven its beneficial effects against cancer prevention and its possible utilization as a therapeutic agent in cancer treatment. Understanding the mechanistic pathways and possible interactions at cellular and subcellular levels is key to design and develop cancer therapeutics for humans. In this respect, a number of mechanisms such as modulation of carcinogen metabolism & phase II enzymatic activities, cell cycle arrest, activation of Nrf2, cytotoxic, proapoptotic and apoptotic pathways have been reported to be involved in cancer prevention. This article provides sufficient information by critical analysis to understand the mechanisms involved in cancer prevention attributed to sulforaphane. Furthermore, various clinical studies have also been included for design and development of novel therapies for cancer prevention and cure. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Diet and dietary components are potential tools to address various lifestyle-related disorders. Due to plenty of environmental and cellular toxicants, the chances of cancer prevalence are quite large which are worsen by adopting unhealthy lifestyles. Cancer can be treated with various therapies but those are acquiring side effects causing the patients to suffer the treatment regime. Nutraceuticals and functional foods provide safer options to prevent or delay the onset of cancer. In this regard, sulforaphane is a pivotal compound to be targeted as a potential agent for cancer treatment both in preventive and therapeutic regimes. This article provides sufficient evidence via discussing the underlying mechanisms of positive effects of sulforaphane to further the research for developing anticancer drugs that will help assuage this lethal morbidity.

Exposure to aristolochic acid (AA) is linked to kidney disease and urothelial cancer in humans. The major carcinogenic component of the AA plant extract is aristolochic acid I (AAI). The tumour suppressor p53 is frequently mutated in AA-induced tumours. We previously showed that p53 protects from AAI-induced renal proximal tubular injury, but the underlying mechanism(s) involved remain to be further explored. In the present study, we investigated the impact of p53 on AAI-induced gene expression by treating Trp53(+/+), Trp53(+/-), and Trp53(-/-) mice with 3.5 mg/kg body weight (bw) AAI daily for six days. The Clariom&trade, S Assay microarray was used to elucidate gene expression profiles in mouse kidneys after AAI treatment. Analyses in Qlucore Omics Explorer showed that gene expression in AAI-exposed kidneys is treatment-dependent. However, gene expression profiles did not segregate in a clear-cut manner according to Trp53 genotype, hence further investigations were performed by pathway analysis with MetaCore&trade, Several pathways were significantly altered to varying degrees for AAI-exposed kidneys. Apoptotic pathways were modulated in Trp53(+/+) kidneys, whereas oncogenic and pro-survival pathways were significantly altered for Trp53(+/-) and Trp53(-/-) kidneys, respectively. Alterations of biological processes by AAI in mouse kidneys could explain the mechanisms by which p53 protects from or p53 loss drives AAI-induced renal injury in vivo.

3-Nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA) is a suspected human carcinogen present in diesel exhaust. It requires metabolic activation via nitroreduction in order to form DNA adducts and promote mutagenesis. We have determined that human aldo-keto reductases (AKR1C1-1C3) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) contribute equally to the nitroreduction of 3-NBA in lung epithelial cell lines and collectively represent 50% of the nitroreductase activity. The genes encoding these enzymes are induced by the transcription factor NF-E2 p45-related factor 2 (NRF2), which raises the possibility that NRF2 activation exacerbates 3-NBA toxification. Since A549 cells possess constitutively active NRF2, we examined the effect of heterozygous (NRF2-Het) and homozygous NRF2 knockout (NRF2-KO) by CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing on the activation of 3-NBA. To evaluate whether NRF2-mediated gene induction increases 3-NBA activation, we examined the effects of NRF2 activators in immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC3-KT). Changes in AKR1C1-1C3 and NQO1 expression by NRF2 knockout or use of NRF2 activators were confirmed by qPCR, immunoblots, and enzyme activity assays. We observed decreases in 3-NBA activation in the A549 NRF2 KO cell lines (53% reduction in A549 NRF2-Het cells and 82% reduction in A549 NRF2-KO cells) and 40-60% increases in 3-NBA bioactivation due to NRF2 activators in HBEC3-KT cells. Together, our data suggest that activation of the transcription factor NRF2 exacerbates carcinogen metabolism following exposure to diesel exhaust which may lead to an increase in 3-NBA-derived DNA adducts.

Exposure to aristolochic acid (AA) is associated with human nephropathy and urothelial cancer. The tumour suppressor TP53 is a critical gene in carcinogenesis and frequently mutated in AA-induced urothelial tumours. We investigated the impact of p53 on AAI-induced nephrotoxicity and DNA damage in vivo by treating Trp53(+/+), Trp53(+/−) and Trp53(−/−) mice with 3.5 mg/kg body weight (bw) AAI daily for 2 or 6 days. Renal histopathology showed a gradient of intensity in proximal tubular injury from Trp53(+/+) to Trp53(−/−) mice, especially after 6 days. The observed renal injury was supported by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabonomic measurements, where a consistent Trp53 genotype-dependent trend was observed for urinary metabolites that indicate aminoaciduria (i.e. alanine), lactic aciduria (i.e. lactate) and glycosuria (i.e. glucose). However, Trp53 genotype had no impact on AAI-DNA adduct levels, as measured by 32P-postlabelling, in either target (kidney and bladder) or non-target (liver) tissues, indicating that the underlying mechanisms of p53-related AAI-induced nephrotoxicity cannot be explained by differences in AAI genotoxicity. Performing gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) on kidney tissues showed metabolic pathways affected by AAI treatment, but again Trp53 status did not clearly impact on such metabolic profiles. We also cultured primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from Trp53(+/+), Trp53(+/−) and Trp53(−/−) mice and exposed them to AAI in vitro (50 µM for up to 48 h). We found that Trp53 genotype impacted on the expression of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (Nqo1), a key enzyme involved in AAI bioactivation. Nqo1 induction was highest in Trp53(+/+) MEFs and lowest in Trp53(−/−) MEFs; and it correlated with AAI-DNA adduct formation, with lowest adduct levels being observed in AAI-exposed Trp53(−/−) MEFs. Overall, our results clearly demonstrate that p53 status impacts on AAI-induced renal injury, but the underlying mechanism(s) involved remain to be further explored. Despite the impact of p53 on AAI bioactivation and DNA damage in vitro, such effects were not observed in vivo., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Arsenic is a toxic metalloid present in large areas in some parts of world including densely populated areas of Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. Being a carcinogenic metalloid, it affects the health of millions of people of affected areas through drinking water and food. Nonetheless, the spread of arsenic contamination reaches to non-affected areas also. Rice is the major crop of the affected areas and is thus the most important carrier of arsenic in grains and in various rice based products throughout the world. Arsenic exists in various inorganic and organic forms with arsenite and arsenate being the major inorganic forms of concern. This global issue has got attraction of a number of studies to understand the details of arsenic uptake, transport, metabolism and toxicity in plants. The transporters responsible for the uptake and root-to-shoot transport of inorganic arsenic have been identified. In addition, transporters responsible for sequestration of arsenic in vacuoles are also discovered. Inside the plants, arsenic induces the production of reactive oxygen species and causes oxidative stress leading to damage to proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and DNA and ultimately cell death. Various antioxidant enzymes and molecules are increased to counteract the oxidative stress. In addition, specific arsenic-binding ligands like phytochelatins are synthesized to chelate and sequester arsenic in vacuoles. This is achieved througth concerted modulation of synthesis and degration of thiols. A number of molecular changes including altered expression of microRNAs and transcription factors take place. The available knowledge about the arsenic metabolism and its toxicity paves the way to tackle the issue. This update discusses not only the present knowledge on this issue but also the lacunae, which need to be filled.

Exposure to aristolochic acid (AA) causes aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) and Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN). Conflicting results have been found for the role of human sulfotransferase 1A1 (SULT1A1) contributing to the metabolic activation of aristolochic acid I (AAI) in vitro. We evaluated the role of human SULT1A1 in AA bioactivation in vivo after treatment of transgenic mice carrying a functional human SULT1A1-SULT1A2 gene cluster (i.e. hSULT1A1/2 mice) and Sult1a1(-/-) mice with AAI and aristolochic acid II (AAII). Both compounds formed characteristic DNA adducts in the intact mouse and in cytosolic incubations in vitro. However, we did not find differences in AAI-/AAII-DNA adduct levels between hSULT1A1/2 and wild-type (WT) mice in all tissues analysed including kidney and liver despite strong enhancement of sulfotransferase activity in both kidney and liver of hSULT1A1/2 mice relative to WT, kidney and liver being major organs involved in AA metabolism. In contrast, DNA adduct formation was strongly increased in hSULT1A1/2 mice compared to WT after treatment with 3-nitrobenzanthrone (3-NBA), another carcinogenic aromatic nitro compound where human SULT1A1/2 is known to contribute to genotoxicity. We found no differences in AAI-/AAII-DNA adduct formation in Sult1a1(-/-) and WT mice in vivo. Using renal and hepatic cytosolic fractions of hSULT1A1/2, Sult1a1(-/-) and WT mice, we investigated AAI-DNA adduct formation in vitro but failed to find a contribution of human SULT1A1/2 or murine Sult1a1 to AAI bioactivation. Our results indicate that sulfo-conjugation catalysed by human SULT1A1 does not play a role in the activation pathways of AAI and AAII in vivo, but is important in 3-NBA bioactivation.

The transcription factor NF-E2 p45-related factor 2 (NRF2; encoded by NFE2L2) plays a critical role in the maintenance of cellular redox and metabolic homeostasis, as well as the regulation of inflammation and cellular detoxication pathways. The contribution of the NRF2 pathway to organismal homeostasis is seen in many studies using cell lines and animal models, raising intense attention towards targeting its clinical promise. Over the last three decades, an expanding number of clinical studies have examined NRF2 inducers targeting an ever-widening range of diseases. Full understanding of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of drug candidates rely partly on the identification, validation, and use of biomarkers to optimize clinical applications. This review focuses on results from clinical trials with four agents known to target NRF2 signaling in preclinical studies (dimethyl fumarate, bardoxolone methyl, oltipraz, and sulforaphane), and evaluates the successes and limitations of biomarkers focused on expression of NRF2 target genes and others, inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers, carcinogen metabolism and adduct biomarkers in unavoidably exposed populations, and targeted and untargeted metabolomics. While no biomarkers excel at defining pharmacodynamic actions in this setting, it is clear that these four lead clinical compounds do touch the NRF2 pathway in humans.

TWstęp: Limonen jest monoterpenem, który w przyrodzie występuje w formie dwóch izomerów R i S. Z tych dwóch izomerów szczególną uwagę zwraca się obecnie na R-(+)-limonen, głównie ze względu na łatwość jego pozyskania z tanich i odnawialnych surowców naturalnych (odpadowe skórki pomarańczy) oraz bardzo liczne i różnorodne zastosowania, m.in. w medycynie, kosmetyce i przemyśle perfumeryjnym.Materiały i metody: Artykuł jest pracą przeglądową, w której omówiono zastosowania limonenu, przy czym duży nacisk został położony na opisanie zastosowań tego związku w medycynie. Z danych literaturowych wynika, że limonen w wielu przypadkach wykazuje działanie lecznicze. W artykule zwrócono także uwagę na bezpieczeństwo stosowania limonenu, czego dowodem są opisywane w literaturze wyniki doświadczeń przeprowadzonych na ludziach i zwierzętach. Opisano również metabolizm limonenu w organizmie człowieka, a także badania nad alergizującym wpływem produktów utlenienia limonenu, zarówno izomeru S, jak i R. W badaniach podkreśla się znaczenie nadtlenków limonenu, które mają najsilniejsze właściwości alergizujące. Omówiono również badania, w których limonen wykazuje działanie antybakteryjnie, przeciwzapalnie i przeciwgrzybicze. W artykule opisano także działanie białka Ras w organizmie zdrowego człowieka, ukazano jego związek z kancerogenezą oraz przedstawiono badania, w których limonen działa przeciwnowotworowo, m.in. poprzez hamowanie prenylacji tego białka. Praca dostarcza informacji o inicjacji przez limonen I i II fazy metabolizmu kancerogenów katalizowanego przez cytochrom P450. Wykazano, że limonen jest aktywnym związkiem zarówno w leczeniu, jak i profilaktyce przeciwnowotworowej. Do tej pory zbadano różne zastosowania limonenu, który był stosowany w leczeniu zgagi, kamicy dróg żółciowych, a także jako składnik żelu stosowanego miejscowo w reumatoidalnym zapaleniu stawów.Wyniki i wnioski: Limonen jest związkiem, który łatwo można pozyskać z odpadów, co jest niewątpliwą jego zaletą. Niedogodności w stosowaniu limonenu wiążą się z właściwościami alergizującymi produktów jego utleniania. W pracy ukazano liczne zastosowania limonenu w medycynie, będące powodem, dla którego warto skupić uwagę na dalszych badaniach nad tym związkiem. Jednym z bardzo ważnych kierunków mogłyby być badania nad zapobieganiem procesom utleniania tego związku.

Butyrate helps to maintain colon homeostasis and exhibits chemopreventive effects in colon epithelium. We examined the interactive effects of butyrate and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), dietary carcinogen, in regulation of expression of a panel of phase I and II xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes (XMEs) in human colon cells. In human colon carcinoma HCT-116 and HT-29 cell lines, butyrate alone increased mRNA levels of some enzymes, such as N-acetyltransferases (in particular NAT2). In combination with BaP, butyrate potentiated induction of cytochrome P450 family 1 enzymes (CYP1A1), aldo-keto reductases (AKR1C1) or UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT1A1). There were some notable differences between cell lines, as butyrate potentiated induction of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and UGT1A4 only in HCT-116 cells, and it even repressed AKR1C3 induction in HT-29 cells. Butyrate also promoted induction of CYP1, NQO1, NAT2, UGT1A1 or UGT1A4 in human colon Caco-2 cells, in a differentiation-dependent manner. Differentiated Caco-2 cells exhibited a higher inducibility of selected XME genes than undifferentiated cells. Butyrate increased induction of enzymatic activities of NATs, NQO1 and UGTs by BaP in HCT-116 and HT29 cells, whereas in differentiated Caco-2 cells it helped to increase only enzymatic activity of NQO1 and UGTs. Together, the present data suggest that butyrate may modulate expression/activities of several enzymes involved in metabolism of carcinogens in colon. In some cases (NAT2, UGT1 A1), this was linked to inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDAC), as confirmed by using HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A. These results may have implications for our understanding of the role of butyrate in regulation of XMEs and carcinogen metabolism in colon.

Aromatic amines (AAs) are chemicals of industrial, pharmacological and environmental relevance. Certain AAs, such as 4-aminobiphenyl (4-ABP), are human carcinogens that require enzymatic metabolic activation to reactive chemicals to form genotoxic DNA adducts. Arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NAT) are xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes (XME) that play a major role in this carcinogenic bioactivation process. Isothiocyanates (ITCs), including benzyl-ITC (BITC) and phenethyl-ITC (PEITC), are phytochemicals known to have chemopreventive activity against several aromatic carcinogens. In particular, ITCs have been shown to modify the bioactivation and subsequent mutagenicity of carcinogenic AA chemicals such as 4-ABP. However, the molecular and biochemical mechanisms by which these phytochemicals may modulate AA carcinogens bioactivation and AA-DNA damage remains poorly understood. This manuscript provides evidence indicating that ITCs can decrease the metabolic activation of carcinogenic AAs via the irreversible inhibition of NAT enzymes and subsequent alteration of the acetylation of AAs. We demonstrate that BITC and PEITC react with NAT1 and inhibit readily its acetyltransferase activity (k(i) = 200 M(-1).s(-1) and 66 M(-1).s(-1) for BITC and PEITC, respectively). Chemical labeling, docking approaches and substrate protection assays indicated that inhibition of the acetylation of AAs by NAT1 was due to the chemical modification of the enzyme active site cysteine. Moreover, analyses of AAs acetylation and DNA adducts in cells showed that BITC was able to modulate the endogenous acetylation and bioactivation of 4-ABP. In conclusion, we show that direct inhibition of NAT enzymes may be an important mechanism by which ITCs exert their chemopreventive activity towards AA chemicals.

Neutrophils infiltrate tissues during inflammation, and when activated, they release beta-glucuronidase. Since inflammation is associated with carcinogenesis, we investigated how extracellular beta-glucuronidase changed the in vitro cellular response to the chemical carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene (B[a]P). For this we exposed human liver (HepG2) and lung (A549) cells to B[a]P in the presence or absence of beta-glucuronidase. beta-Glucuronidase reduced B[a]P-induced expression of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 at 6 h after exposure, which did not depend on beta-glucuronidase activity, because the inhibitor D-saccharic acid 1,4-lactone monohydrate did not antagonize the effect of beta-glucuronidase. On the other hand, the inhibitory effect of beta-glucuronidase on CYP expression was dependent on signalling via the insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF2R, a known receptor for beta-glucuronidase), because co-incubation with the IGF2R inhibitor mannose-6-phosphate completely abolished the effect of beta-glucuronidase. Extracellular beta-glucuronidase also reduced the formation of several B[a]P metabolites and B[a]P-DNA adducts. Interestingly, at 24 h of exposure, beta-glucuronidase significantly enhanced CYP expression, probably because beta-glucuronidase de-glucuronidated B[a]P metabolites, which continued to trigger the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ah receptor) and induced expression of CYP1A1 (in both cell lines) and CYP1B1 (in A549 only). Consequently, significantly higher concentrations of B[a]P metabolites and DNA adducts were found in beta-glucuronidase-treated cells at 24 h. DNA adduct levels peaked at 48 h in cells that were exposed to B[a]P and treated with beta-glucuronidase. Overall, these data show that beta-glucuronidase alters the cellular response to B[a]P and ultimately enhances B[a]P-induced DNA adduct levels.

Background: Cytochrome monooxygenases P450 enzymes (CYPs) are terminal oxidases, belonging to the multi-gene family of heme-thiolate enzymes and located in multiple sites of ER, cytosol and mitochondria. CYPs act as catalysts in drugs metabolism. Areas covered: This review highlights the mitochondrial and microsomal CYPs metabolic functions, CYPs mediated ROS generation and its feedback, bioactivation of drugs and related hypersensitivity, metabolic disposition as well as the therapeutic approaches. What the readers will gain: CYPs mediated drugs bioactivation may trigger oxidative stress and cause pathophysiology. Almost all drugs show some adverse reactions at high doses or accidental overdoses. Drugs lead to hypersensitivity reactions while metabolic predisposition to drug hypersensitivity exaggerates it. Mostly different intermediate bioactive products of CYPs mediated drug metabolism is the principal issue in this respect. On the other hand, CYPs are the main source of ROS. Their generation and feedback are of major concern of this review. Besides drug metabolism, CYPs also contribute significantly to carcinogen metabolism. Ultimately other enzymes in drug metabolism and antioxidant therapy are indispensible. Importance of this field: In a global sense, understanding of exact mechanism can facilitate pharmaceutical industries’ challenge of developing drugs without toxicity. Ultimate message: This review would accentuate the recent advances in molecular mechanism of CYPs mediated drug metabolism and complex cross-talks between various restorative novel strategies evolved by CYPs to sustain the redox balance and limit the source of oxidative stress.

Hypoxia promotes genetic instability and is therefore an important factor in carcinogenesis. We have previously shown that activation of the hypoxia responsive transcription factor HIF alpha can enhance the mutagenic phenotype induced by the environmental mutagen benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). To further elucidate the mechanism behind the ability of hypoxia to increase mutagenicity of carcinogens, we examined the activation and detoxification of BaP under hypoxic conditions. To this end, the human lung carcinoma cell line A549 was treated with BaP under 20%, 5% or 0.2% oxygen for 18h and alterations in BaP metabolism were assayed. First, BaP-induced expression of key metabolic enzymes was analysed; expression levels of the activating CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 were increased, while the detoxifying enzymes UGT1A6 and UGT2B7 were significantly reduced by hypoxia. To evaluate whether these changes had an effect on metabolism, levels of BaP and several of its metabolites were determined. Cells under hypoxia have a reduced capacity to metabolise BaP leaving more of the parent molecule intact. Additionally, BaP-7,8-dihydrodiol, the pre-cursor metabolite of the reactive metabolite BaP-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxide (BPDE), was formed in higher concentrations. Finally, under hypoxia, DNA adducts accumulated over a period of 168h, whereas adducts were efficiently removed in 20% oxygen conditions. The delayed detoxification kinetics resulted in a 1.5-fold increase in DNA adducts. These data indicate that the metabolism under hypoxic conditions has shifted towards increased activation of BaP instead of detoxification and support the idea that modulation of carcinogen metabolism is an important additional mechanism for the observed HIF1 mediated genetic instability.

The modifying effect of one compound on the carcinogenicity of another in combined application is attributed usually to some changes in the carcinogen metabolism, i.e. its activation or inactivation. In this paper, when used separately, diethylnitrosamine (DENA) induced 4–6 times more neoplastic lesions in the liver of suckling mice than ortho-aminoazotoluene (OAT) did. However, after combined treatment with both carcinogens the total number of hepatic lesions was significantly lower than that in mice treated with DENA only. Similar effect was observed when OAT was administered 3 days before or 3 days after DENA injection. The observed protective effect is not mediated at a metabolic level, because OAT has no effect on metabolism of DENA in mouse liver. Our findings can be unequivocally explained by competition of the carcinogens for target protein molecules, presumably transcription factors, participating in hepatocyte differentiation, which differently interact with and are diversely impaired by different compounds.

The cancer chemopreventive activity of the polysaccharide extracts (E1-E4) of Sargassum asperifolium, a brown alga in Red Sea shores in Egypt, was investigated. Tumour anti-initiation activity (the modulation of carcinogen metabolism) indicated that E3 and E4 were potent anti-initiators by inhibiting the carcinogen activator cytochrome P450-1A, and enhancing carcinogen detoxification enzymes glutathione-S-transferase. Only E4 significantly enhanced quinone reductase activity. All polysaccharide extracts possessed anti-promotion property by their anti-inflammatory activity. E3 and E4 dramatically induced the growth of spleen macrophages. E2, E3 and E4 significantly inhibited nitric oxide generation from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated spleen macrophages, while E1, E3 and E4 led to significant inhibition of LPS-induced tumour necrosis factor-α. The extracts E1, E2 and E4 showed cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells, where E2 and E4 induced cell death due to apoptosis. In conclusion, E3 and E4 are promising cancer chemopreventive extracts, since they had tumour anti-initiating activity via their protective modulation of carcinogen metabolism.

In 2007, the International Agency for Research on Cancer presented compelling evidence that linked smokeless tobacco use to the development of human oral cancer. Although these findings imply vigorous local carcinogen metabolism, little is known about levels and distribution of phase I, II, and III (drug egress) enzymes in human oral mucosa. In this study here, we integrated clinical data, and imaging and histopathologic analyses of an oral squamous cell carcinoma that arose at the site of smokeless tobacco quid placement in a patient. Immunoblot and immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses were used to identify tumor and normal human oral mucosal smokeless tobacco-associated metabolic activation and detoxification enzymes. Human oral epithelium contains every known phase I enzyme associated with nitrosamine oxidative bioactivation with approximately 2-fold interdonor differences in protein levels. Previous studies have confirmed approximately 3.5-fold interdonor variations in intraepithelial phase II enzymes. Unlike the superficially located enzymes in nonreplicating esophageal surface epithelium, IHC studies confirmed that oral mucosal nitrosamine metabolizing enzymes reside in the basilar and suprabasilar region, which notably is the site of ongoing keratinocyte DNA replication. Clearly, variations in product composition, nitrosamine metabolism, and exposure duration will modulate clinical outcomes. The data presented here form a coherent picture consistent with the abundant experimental data that link tobacco-specific nitrosamines to human oral cancer. Cancer Prev Res; 7(1); 23–32. ©2013 AACR.

Drug-induced skin rashes are poorly understood idiosyncratic reactions, and current methods cannot predict their occurrence. Most idiosyncratic drug reactions are thought to be caused by chemically reactive metabolites, and the skin is a frequent site of idiosyncratic reactions; however, the skin has a very limited capacity to metabolize drugs. To balance this, the skin represents a protective barrier with a very active immune response against pathogens and other types of skin injury. Therefore its response to reactive metabolites is quite different from that of the liver. The purpose of this review is to integrate emerging findings into proposed mechanisms of drug and carcinogen metabolism in the skin that are likely responsible for rashes and other immune responses of the skin. Current evidence suggests the skin possesses significant sulfotransferase and flavin monooxygenases activities, but very low cytochromes P450 activity. However, there are skin-specific P450s that are not present in the liver. The manner in which the skin responds to neoantigens through local antigen presentation and innate immune sensing is reviewed with a focus on insights gained from the contact hypersensitivity (CHS) field. The roles of keratinocytes and Langerhans cells, and the emerging function of NOD-like receptors, are highlighted.

Introduction: Chemoprevention has emerged as a promising strategy to reduce the risk and to control cancer. In this context, isothiocyanates (ITCs), found in abundance in the form of glucosinolates in cruciferous vegetables, have gained increasing consideration for their chemopreventive activity. ITCs exert their effects mainly by inducing carcinogen metabolism or by inhibiting tumor cell proliferation. Areas covered: In recent years, novel combination treatments, by coupling chemopreventive agents and typical chemotherapeutics, have been exploited to increase the antitumor activities. The aim of this article is to examine the foremost studies carried out, so far, on the effects of dietary and synthetic ITCs on different signaling pathways involved in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of chemotherapeutic agents, in order to enhance their effectiveness. Expert opinion: Undoubtedly, the beneficial anticarcinogenic potential of ITCs, both singly and in combination, has emerged in in vitro and in vivo studies. However, only a few clinical trials have been carried out so far with ITCs, which try to better define both the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic impacts in humans. More toxicological evaluations after long-term administration of ITCs in different species are required for the clinical development of ITCs as anticarcinogenic agents.

Naphthalene (NA) is a ubiquitous pollutant to which humans are widely exposed. 1,2-Dihydro-1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene (NA-dihydrodiol) is a major metabolite of NA generated by microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH). To investigate the role of the NA-dihydrodiol and subsequent metabolites (ie 1,2-naphthoquinone) in cytotoxicity, we exposed both male and female wild type (WT) and mEH null mice (KO) to NA by inhalation (5, 10, 20 ppm for 4 hours). NA-dihydrodiol was ablated in the KO mice. High-resolution histopathology was used to study site-specific cytotoxicity, and formation of naphthalene metabolites was measured by HPLC in microdissected airways. Swollen and vacuolated airway epithelial cells were observed in the intra- and extrapulmonary airways of all mice at and below the current OSHA standard (10 ppm). Female mice may be more susceptible to this acute cytotoxicity. In the extrapulmonary airways, WT mice were more susceptible to damage than KO mice, indicating that the metabolites associated with mEH-mediated metabolism could be partially responsible for cytotoxicity at this site. The level of cytotoxicity in the mEH KO mice at all airway levels suggests that non-mEH metabolites are contributing to NA cellular damage in the lung. Our results indicate that the apparent contribution of mEH-dependent metabolites to toxicity differs by location in the lung. These studies suggest that metabolites generated through the mEH pathway may be of minor importance in distal airway toxicity and subsequent carcinogenesis from NA exposure.

Chemoprevention, which is referred to as the use of nontoxic natural or synthetic chemicals to intervene in multistage carcinogenesis has since decades attracted a considerable interest in plant-derived chemical constituents often termed as "phytochemicals" or sometimes as "Nutraceuticals" in case they are derived from dietary sources. A comprehensive search of the literature show that such an interest in natural product pharmacology has surged in the last 25 years and particularly risen at exponential rates since the last one decade. Phytochemicals such as curcumin (from spice turmeric), resveratrol (from red wine) and genistein (from soy) share the major efforts as indicated by overwhelming publications, despite skepticism concerning their bioavailability. Ascorbic acid (AA), the popular anti-oxidant in fruits and vegetables, has even a longer historical perspective than these dietary agents as for more than 35 years; there had been lingering questions about the efficacy of AA in cancer therapy. The footprints of AA from "scurvy" to "cancer" though complex seems to carry potential provided the puzzle could be set right. The use of AA in cancer treatment has been debated extensively as evident from the literature but surprisingly the complementing early phase bench work on the mechanistic studies for anticancer action was rather retarded. Proposed mechanisms of action for AA in the prevention and treatment of cancer includes antioxidant as well as pro-oxidant properties, stimulation of the immune system, altering carcinogen metabolism, enhancement of collagen synthesis necessary for tumor encapsulation and interference with cancer cell signaling. The observation that the intravenous administration of AA enhances its bioavailability to the extent of deriving pharmacological benefits against cancer has in recent years partially supported the clinical plausibility (efficacy) of AA towards realizing its translational advantage. Here, we provide an overview of AA with regard to its potential in the management of cancer disease.

The potential cancer-preventive effects of resveratrol, evident from the data obtained by various studies, are summarized in this review. Resveratrol (trans-3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene), a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound, was first isolated in 1940 as a constituent of the roots of white Hellebore (Veratrum grandiflorum O. Loes), and is now found to be present in various plants including grapes, berries, peanuts, and red wine. This review first briefly describes the current evidence on the link between resveratrol and cancer occurrence, based on epidemiological studies. Subsequently, investigations with resveratrol in animal models of colon carcinogenesis are presented, followed by a comprehensive compilation of resveratrol on cancer. In the second part, the article focuses on results from investigations on cancer-preventive mechanisms of resveratrol. Biological activities including antioxidant effects, modulation of carcinogen metabolism, anti-inflammatory potential, antioxidant properties, antiproliferative mechanisms by induction of apoptosis, and cell differentiation are discussed. Some novel information on its modulating effects on cell signaling pathway, metabolism studies, bioavailability, and cancer-preventive efficacy is also provided. Based on these findings, resveratrol may be used as a promising candidate for cancer chemoprevention.

Nitric oxide (NO)-donating non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) represent a promising new class of drugs developed to provide a safer alternative than their conventional NSAID counterparts in chemoprevention. We tested the effects of NO-aspirin 2 on Phase I and Phase II carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes. In HepG2 human hepatoma cells and in LS180 colonic adenocarcinoma cells, NO-aspirin 2 inhibited 2,3,7,8-tetrachlordibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme activity and CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 mRNA expression. These effects were further characterized as being mediated through transcriptional regulation: NO-aspirin 2 inhibited binding of ligand (TCDD)-activated aryl hydrocarbon receptor to the CYP1A1 enhancer sequence; additionally, NO-aspirin 2 suppressed carcinogen-induced expression of CYP1A heterogeneous nuclear RNA. The fate of carcinogen metabolites depends not only on activation by CYP enzymes but also detoxification by Phase II enzymes. Both HepG2 and LS180 cells treated with NO-aspirin 2 showed an increase in glutathione S-transferase-P1 (GST-P1), glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL), and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) expression. Compared with two other NO-releasing compounds, diethylenetriamine-NO and the organic nitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, the inhibitory effects of NO-aspirin 2 on TCDD-induced CYP activity and mRNA expression were considerably more potent. Furthermore, aspirin alone had no inhibitory effect on TCDD-induced CYP activity, nor did aspirin up-regulate GCL, GST-P1, or NQO1 expression. Consequent to the effects on carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes, NO-aspirin 2 inhibited [3H]benzo[a]pyrene-DNA adduct formation and DNA damage elicited by TCDD or benzo[a]pyrene. Our results demonstrate that NO-aspirin 2 may be an effective chemopreventive agent by favorably affecting the inhibitory and enhancing effects of Phase I and Phase II carcinogen metabolism, thereby protecting DNA from carcinogenic insult.

Tea (Camellia sinensis, Theaceace), a popular beverage consumed world-wide, has been studied for its preventive effects against cancer as well as cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and other diseases. Most of the proposed beneficial effects have been attributed to the polyphenolic compounds in tea, but the nature of these activities and the molecular mechanisms of their actions remain unclear. Tea polyphenols are known to be strong antioxidants. Prevention of oxidative stress, modulation of carcinogen metabolism, and prevention of DNA damage have been suggested as possible cancer preventive mechanisms for tea and tea polyphenols. In this chapter, we discuss these topics in the light of biotransformation and bioavailability of tea polyphenols. We also review the preventive effects of tea polyphenols in animal models of carcinogenesis and some of the possible post-initiation mechanisms of action. Finally, we discuss the effects of tea consumption on cancer risk in humans. It is our aim to raise some of the unanswered questions regarding cancer prevention by tea and to stimulate further research in this area.

Allium vegetables, such as garlic, have been used for medicinal purposes throughout the recorded history. The known health benefits of Allium vegetables constituents include cardiovascular effects, improvement of the immune function, lowering of blood glucose level, radioprotection, protection against microbial infections, and anti-cancer effects. Initial evidence for the anti-cancer effect of Allium vegetables was provided by population-based case-control studies. Subsequent laboratory studies showed that the Allium vegetable constituents, such as diallyl disulfide, S-allylcysteine, and ajoene can not only offer protection against chemically induced cancer in animal models by altering carcinogen metabolism, but also suppress growth of cancer cells in culture and in vivo by causing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction. Suppression of angiogenesis and experimental metastasis by Allium constituents has also been reported. Defining the mechanism by which sulfur compounds derived from Allium vegetables inhibit cancer cell growth has been the topic of intense research in the last two decades. Some Allium vegetable constituents have also entered clinical trials to assess their safety and anti-cancer efficacy. This article summarizes preclinical and limited clinical data to warrant further clinical evaluation of Allium vegetable constituents for prevention and therapy of human cancers.

Prevention is one of the most important and promising strategies to control cancer. Many dietary bioactive compounds, mostly phytochemicals, have been found to decrease the risk of carcinogenesis. Modulating the metabolism and disposition pathways of carcinogens represents one of the major mechanisms by which dietary compounds prevent carcinogenesis. In the present review, the specific molecular targets of dietary compounds within carcinogen metabolism, including various enzymes and transporters and their regulatory signaling pathways, are briefly reviewed. The expression of phase I enzymes, which presumably mostly activate carcinogens, is mainly regulated by xenobiotics sensing nuclear receptors such as AhR, CAR, PXR, and RXR. On the other hand, phase II enzymes catalyze the conjugations of carcinogens and generally are transcriptionally controlled by the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathways. The Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway, which regulates the expression of many detoxifying enzymes, is a major target of dietary compounds. The final excretion of carcinogens and their metabolites is mediated by phase III transporters, which share many regulatory mechanisms with phase I/II enzymes. Indeed, the expression of metabolizing enzymes and transporters is often coordinately regulated. Besides transcriptional regulation, the activities of phase I/II enzymes and phase III transporters could be directly activated or inhibited by dietary compounds. Furthermore, genetic polymorphisms have profound effects on the individual response to dietary compounds. Finally, the effects of cancer prevention and the risk of carcinogenesis are determined by the network composed of known/unknown molecular targets and signaling pathways and its interaction with various xenobiotics, including carcinogens, drugs, and diet. With the rapid advances in the post genomic sciences, it could be possible to decipher this network and better predict the clinical outcomes of cancer prevention by dietary bioactive compounds.

Biochanin A (BCA), a phytoestrogen present in plant food and herbal products, has been reported to have cancer-preventive effects that may be mediated, in part, through effects on carcinogen metabolism. Our objective was to examine the effect of BCA on gene expression for drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters in human hepatocytes. Cells were exposed to 20 muM of BCA for 5 days. Gene expression was assessed by a 96-gene human drug metabolism enzyme microarray. There were seven genes that were significantly up-regulated, namely cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2F1, multidrug resistance gene (MDR1), thromboxane A synthase 1 (TBXAS1), and SULT1A2 (sulfotransferase). Up-regulation of MDR1, which encodes for P-glycoprotein, was confirmed using real-time RT-PCR and Western analysis in hepatocytes as well as in human colon adenocarcinoma cell line (LS-180) and the induction was dose-dependent. BCA treatment up-regulated genes mainly in the CYP2 family. This induction can influence the metabolism of xenobiotics, producing effects of pharmacological and toxicological importance.

The current study is an effort to identify the effect of a hydroalcohol (50% ethanol) extract of roots of Cissampelos pareira. (L.) Hirsuta (Menispermaceae) (CPE) in forestomach cancer and on carcinogen metabolizing phase I and phase II enzymes along with antioxidant enzymes. In forestomach, the activities of glutathione S.-transferase (GST), DT-diaphorase (DTD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased significantly and dose-dependently. The protective effect of CPE was studied against benzo(a.)pyrene [B(a.)P]-induced gastric cancer in mice, and the tumor incidence was reduced and the mean number of tumors and the tumor multiplicity were reduced significantly and dose-dependently. The modulatory effect of CPE was also examined on carcinogen metabolizing phase I and phase II enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, glutathione content, lactate dehydrogenase, and lipid peroxidation in liver. Significant increases in the levels of acid-soluble sulfhydryl (–SH) and cytochrome P450 contents and in enzyme activit...

The risk association between tobacco and alcohol use with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is well recognized. However, clearly not all individuals who smoke or drink develop SCCHN. Individual genetic susceptibility differences in carcinogen-metabolizing enzyme function, mutagen sensitivity, apoptosis, and chromosomal aberrations either alone or in combination have been theorized to modify the risk of SCCHN. Nearly all carcinogens and procarcinogens require activation by metabolizing enzymes. Similarly, detoxifying enzymes exist and deactivate carcinogens as well as their intermediate by-products. Together these enzymes are termed xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes; genetic polymorphisms of these enzymes can modify an individual's response to carcinogens and hence the carcinogenic potential of such exposures. In this review, we explore the available evidence in recent literature regarding the risk association between SCCHN and various xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes, including cytochrome P450s, glutathione S-transferases, N-acetyltransferases, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, alcohol dehydrogenase, and aldehyde dehydrogenase. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 2007

Arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) and 2 (NAT2) catalyze the detoxification and/or activation of aromatic and heterocyclic amine carcinogens by two pathways. This metabolism reaction can lead to the detoxification by Nacetylation, or bioactivation by a-acetylation often preceded by CYP450 hydroxylation. Human NAT2 polymorphisms are characterized by rapid, intermediate, and slow acetylator phenotypes, thus resulting in differences in the rate of arylamine metabolism and consequently cancer risk. We have constructed nucleotide excision repair-deficient human cell model expressing human CYP1A2 and human NAT1and NAT2 in order to investigate carcinogen metabolism and cancer susceptibility in human cells. In this study we introduce the utilization of SV40-transformed human fibroblasts (GM4429) to examine the functional effects of human NAT2 haplotypes, in the presence of human NAT1. Many carcinogens, such as 4- aminobiphenyl, are metabolized by both NAT1 and NAT2, consequently both isozymes have toxicologically significant functions in the metabolism of arylamines. Furthermore, both NAT1 and NAT2 isozymes are expressed in human liver, where they are significant to carcinogen detoxification and/or activation consequences. With this model, we can examine the role of NAT1 and NAT2 carcinogen metabolism and genotoxicity in a NER-deficient human cell. In this study, we investigate novel inhibitors of NAT1 and NAT2. Previous studies have identified approximately 150 NAT inhibitor candidates following computer-based in silico screening of approximately 20 million compounds. The inhibitory properties of these compounds were tested using a High Performance Liquid Chromatography assay specific for human NAT1 and NAT2. A novel compound was identified that is an effective inhibitor of NAT1 (100%) and NAT2 (90%). This inhibitor was selective for NAT1 (IC50 about 1 µM), compared to an IC50 of 82.2µM (SMZ) for NAT2. Further studies will determine potency and efficacy of NAT inhibitors to reduce DNA adduct formation and mutagenesis. We have also successfully constructed and characterized NER-deficient human fibroblast cells with stable expression of human NAT2 alleles (NAT2*4, NAT2*S8, or NAT 2*78) and CYP1 A2. These models are used to better understand the effects of NAT2 haplotypes on carcinogen metabolism and DNA adduct formation in human cells.

Isothiocyanates are small molecules characterized by high chemical reactivity that allows them to interact readily with cellular constituents eliciting a plethora of biological activities. They are present exclusively in cruciferous vegetables, as glucosinolates, the intake of which has been associated with cancer chemoprevention. When the physical structure of these vegetables is disturbed, e.g. during mastication, the enzyme myrosinase is released and converts the glucosinolates to isothiocyanates (R-N=C=S), where R can be aliphatic or aromatic. Although sulforaphane, an aliphatic isothiocyanate, has received most attention worldwide, the most extensively studied aromatic isothiocyanate is phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), and there are substantial differences in biological activity between the two sub-classes. In animal cancer models, PEITC effectively antagonized the carcinogenicity of chemicals, especially nitrosocompounds. A principal mechanism of their action is to protect the integrity of DNA by decreasing the levels of the genotoxic metabolites of chemical carcinogens. Extensive studies established that PEITC modulates the metabolism of the tobacco-specific carcinogenic nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) by inhibiting its cytochrome P450-mediated bioactivation. Moreover, PEITC is a potent inducer of detoxification enzymes such as quinone reductase, glutathione S-transferase and glucuronosyl transferase. PEITC is rapidly absorbed and is characterized by a large bioavailability; Cmax concentrations achieved in plasma after dietary intake are sufficient to modulate carcinogen metabolism. PEITC is primarily metabolized by glutathione conjugation and is excreted in the urine and bile as the mercapturate. The ability of PEITC to perturb carcinogen metabolism through modulation of cytochrome P450 and phase II detoxification enzymes is comprehensively and critically reviewed.

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) are potent bacterial mutagens that are formed in cooked meats, tobacco smoke condensate, and diesel exhaust. Many HAAs are carcinogenic in experimental animal models. Because of their wide-spread occurrence in the diet and environment, HAAs may contribute to some common types of human cancers. The extrapolation of animal toxicity data on HAAs to assess human health risk has many uncertainties, which can lead to tenuous risk assessment estimates. Perhaps the most critical and variable parameters in interspecies extrapolation are the effects of dose, species differences in catalytic activities of xenobiotic metabolism enzymes (XMEs), human XME polymorphisms that lead to interindividual differences in carcinogen metabolism, and dietary constituents that may either augment or diminish the carcinogenic potency of these genotoxins. The impact of these parameters on the metabolism and toxicological properties of HAAs and uncertainties in extrapolation of animal toxicity data for human risk assessment are presented in this article.

Oxidative stress during carcinogen metabolism seems to participate in liver tumor production in the rat. N-diethylnitrosamine is an important carcinogen used in liver cancer animal models. This indirect alkylating agent produces DNA–ethyl adducts and oxidative stress. In contrast, N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, a direct mutagen, which generates DNA–ethyl adducts, does not produce liver tumors in rat unless it is given under oxidative stress conditions such as partial hepatectomy or phenobarbital treatment. To gain insight into the relation between oxidative stress and hepatocarcinogenicity, the induction of preneoplastic liver lesions was compared among three different initiation protocols related to the initiation–promotion-resistant hepatocyte model. In addition, liver lipid peroxidation levels, determined as thiobarituric acid reactive sustances were studied early during the initiation stage. Rats initiated with N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, 25 days after treatment developed fewer and smaller g-glutamyl transpeptidase positive preneoplastic lesions than rats initiated with N-diethylnitrosamine. A pre-treatment with the antioxidant quercetin 1 h before N-diethylnitrosamine initiation, significantly prevented development of g-glutamyl transpeptidase-positive lesions. Increased lipid peroxidation levels were induced with N-diethylnitrosamine from 3 to 24 h after initiation, while N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea did not induce increments, and importantly, pre-treatment with quercetin decreased lipid peroxidation induced by N-diethylnitrosamine. These results show correlation between lipid peroxidation and hepatocarcinogenicity and support the important role of oxidative stress on liver carcinogenesis. q 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Almost all the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) require metabolic activation to exert their carcinogenic activity. Environmental carcinogen [(3)H] benzo[a]pyrene (BP) is carcinogenic only after its metabolic transformation to a reactive intermediate, which can then bind to cellular macromolecules. Inhibition of dimethylbenz anthracene- (DMBA-) DNA binding generally accompanied inhibition of tumor initiation as most inhibitors of initiation interfere with the metabolic activation of the initiator. The importance of carcinogen-DNA interaction and the enzymes involved in the metabolism of carcinogenic polycyclic hydrocarbons has led to a search for inhibitors that would be useful in modifying the cancer-causing effects of the PAHs. We tested the effect of calcium glucarate (Cag), a naturally occurring nontoxic compound, on carcinogen metabolism and DNA interaction. Cag inhibited [(3)H] BP binding to both calf thymus DNA in vitro and to epidermal DNA in vivo. Application of Cag to mouse skin caused a dose-dependent inhibition of [(3)H] BP binding to epidermal DNA. To establish the relevance of the in vivo results to the in vitro situation, we followed the in vitro effect of Cag on [(3)H] BP binding to calf thymus DNA and observed that Cag inhibited the [(3)H] BP binding to calf thymus DNA in the presence of microsomes prepared from animals treated with DMBA. We also studied related events like DNA synthesis and carcinogen metabolism. For assessing the DNA synthesis, thymidine kinase was used as marker. Cag caused a dose-dependent inhibition of DMBA-induced thymidine kinase activity. At the same time, Cag caused a marked inhibition of DMBA-induced aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity, an enzyme responsible for the metabolism of PAHs like BP, both in vivo and in vitro. Our study indicates that Cag exerted its antitumor effect possibly by inhibiting the carcinogen-DNA binding, which appears to be due to reduced DNA synthesis and AHH activity.

Through a multiplex promoter spanning 218 kb, the phase II UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A ( UGT1 ) gene encodes at least eight differently regulated mRNAs whose protein products function as the principal means to eliminate a vast array of steroids, heme metabolites, environmental toxins, and drugs. The orphan nuclear receptors pregnane X receptor (PXR) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) were originally identified as sensors able to respond to numerous environmentally derived foreign compounds (xenobiotics) to promote detoxification by phase I cytochrome P450 genes. In this report, we show that both receptors can induce specific UGT1A isoforms including those involved in estrogen, thyroxin, bilirubin, and carcinogen metabolism. Transgenic mice expressing a constitutively active form of human PXR show markedly increased UGT activity toward steroid, heme, and carcinogens, enhanced bilirubin clearance, as well as massively increased steroid clearance. The ability of PXR and constitutive androstane receptor and their ligands to transduce both the phase I and phase II adaptive hepatic response defines a unique transcriptional interface that bridges the ingestion and metabolism of environmental compounds to body physiology.

The role of P450s in xenobiotic metabolism, toxicity, and carcinogenicity has been studied for many years by using in vitro approaches and limited in vivo investigations. Genetic analysis to study the effects of xenobiotics in intact animals has only recently been carried out by use of gene knockout mice. Mice lacking expression of these enzymes have no or only modest phenotypes, indicating that their xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes are not critical for mammalian development or physiological homeostasis. The null mice have been used to study the roll of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in chemical toxicity and carcinogenicity. There are marked species differences in the expression and catalytic activities of P450s that metabolize xenobiotics, and this complicates the extrapolation of data obtained in rodents for use in drug development and human risk assessment. This is especially notable between mice and rats, commonly used experimental models, and humans. To begin to develop more predictive models, P450 humanized mice were produced and characterized by using genomic clones containing the complete coding and regulatory regions of genes, as transgenes. Humanized lines expressing CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 human P450 were characterized and found to accurately express human P450 proteins and catalytic activities at levels comparable to or higher than the corresponding activities found in human tissues. These novel mouse lines offer the opportunity to predict human drug and carcinogen metabolism and disposition and to search for endogenous substrates for human P450s.

The purpose of this chapter is to provide insight into which human cytochromes P450 (CYPs) may be involved in metabolism of chemical carcinogens and anticancer drugs. A historical overview of this field and the development of literature using relevant animal models and expressed human CYPs have provided information about which specific CYPs may be involved in carcinogen metabolism. Definition of the biochemical properties of CYP activity came from several groups who studied the reaction stoichiometry of butter yellow and benzo[α]pyrene, including their role in induction of these enzyme systems. This chapter will list as much as is known about the human CYPs involved in carcinogen and anticancer drug metabolism, as well as summarize studies with rodent CYPs. A review of three major classes of anticancer drugs and their metabolism in humans is covered for cyclophosphamide, procarbazine, and anthracycline antibiotics, cancer chemotherapeutic compounds extensively metabolized by CYPs. The emerging information about human CYP gene polymorphisms as well as other enzymes involved in foreign compound metabolism provides considerable information about how these genetic variants affect carcinogen and anticancer drug metabolism. With information available from individual's genomic sequences, consideration of populations who may be at risk due to environmental exposure to carcinogens or how to optimize their cancer therapy regimens to enhance efficacy of the anticancer drugs appears to be an important field of study to benefit individuals in the future.

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are potent cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors, mediate cancer preventive and tumour regressive effects in the human colon. COX is responsible for the biosynthesis of prostaglandins (PGs), represented by a large series of compounds. Importantly, an increase in PG synthesis may influence tumour growth in humans or experimental animals, and numerous studies have illustrated the effect of PG synthesis on carcinogen metabolism, tumour cell proliferation and metastatic potential. The patents discussed in this review present the synthesis and activities of some selective COX-2 inhibitors, the activity and toxicity of R-NSAIDs and S-NSAIDs, and some results obtained with NSAIDs combined with chemotherapeutic agents, in cancer treatment.

Clinical and epidemiological studies on cancer etiology seldom treat coffee drinking as a potential effect modifier. Yet caffeine exerts significant effects upon a large variety of physiologic, cellular and molecular systems. Caffeine, 'the world's most popular drug', is also a fundamental research tool, widely used in clinical studies on drug metabolism, and in experimental studies on cell cycle checkpoints, DNA repair, and apoptosis, among many other. Caffeine can profoundly alter cell cycle checkpoint function and several mechanisms of DNA repair, as well as carcinogen metabolism. The impact of caffeine on cell cycle checkpoint function occurs in spite of it being nonmutagenic in traditional mutagenesis assays. A complex body of biologic evidence suggests that caffeine-containing beverages can both enhance and antagonise potentially carcinogenic exposures. However, most pathways leading to the ultimate effects in human beings remain unknown. It is unclear whether any of the hundreds of compounds contained in coffee and tea exert a direct and significant carcinogenic effect per se in any human tissue at usual conditions of use. Reasons exist to consider that coffee may sometimes be an indirect, positive confounder. The study of interactions between caffeine-containing beverages and environmental agents in well defined groups of healthy and diseased people could yield new insights into checkpoint signal transduction and other mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Information on the use of caffeine-containing beverages should more often be integrated in studies on the role of gene-environment interactions in the pathogenesis of cancer.

Several epidemiologic studies suggest that consumption of cruciferous vegetables may be particularly effective (compared with total fruit and vegetable consumption) in reducing cancer risk at several organ sites. Crucifers that are widely consumed are especially rich in glucosinolates, which are converted by plant myrosinase and gastrointestinal microflora to isothiocyanates. A number of isothiocyanates and a limited number of glucosinolates that were examined effectively block chemical carcinogenesis in animal models. Many isothiocyanates are also potent inducers of phase 2 proteins. Substantial evidence supports the view that phase 2 enzyme induction is a highly effective strategy for reducing susceptibility to carcinogens. This conclusion has recently received strong molecular support from experiments on mice in which the specific transcription factor, nrf2, which is essential for induction of phase 2 proteins, was deleted. In these knock-out mice, the basal levels of phase 2 enzymes are very low and not inducible. Accordingly, these mice are much more susceptible than their wild-type counterparts to benzo[a]pyrene forestomach carcinogenesis and are not protected by phase 2 inducers. These experiments provide very strong evidence for a major role of phase 2 enzymes in controlling the risk of exposure to carcinogens. An increasing number of phase 2 proteins that exert a variety of protective mechanisms are being identified. Thus, in addition to detoxifying electrophiles, these proteins exercise versatile, long-lasting and catalytic antioxidant protection.

Selenium (Se) exerts its anticarcinogenic effects by multiple mechanisms. In the physiological dosage range, Se appears to function as an antimutagenic agent, preventing the malignant transformation of normal cells and the activation of oncogenes. These protective effects of Se seem to be primarily associated with its presence in the glutathione peroxidases, which are known to protect DNA and other cellular components from damage by oxygen radicals. Selenoenzymes are also known to play roles in carcinogen metabolism, in the control of cell division, oxygen metabolism, detoxification processes, apoptosis induction and the functioning of the immune system. Other modes of action, either direct or indirect, may also be operative, such as the partial retransformation of tumor cells and the inactivation of oncogenes. However, the effects of Se in the physiological dosage range are not attributable to cytotoxicity, allowing Se to be defined as a genuine nutritional cancer-protecting agent. The anticarcinogenic effects of Se are counteracted by Se-antagonistic compounds and elements. For maximal utilization of its cancer-protective potential, Se supplementation should start early in life and be maintained over the entire lifespan. In addition, exposure to Se antagonists and carcinogenic risk factors should be minimized by appropriate dietary and lifestyle changes.

Substantial quantities of isothiocyanates are released upon consumption of normal amounts of a number of cruciferous vegetables. Some of these naturally occurring isothiocyanates such as phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) and sulforaphane are effective inhibitors of cancer induction in rodents treated with carcinogens. A large amount of data demonstrate that isothiocyanates act as cancer chemopreventive agents by favorably modifying carcinogen metabolism via inhibition of Phase 1 enzymes and/or induction of Phase 2 enzymes. These effects are quite specific, depending on the structure of the isothiocyanate and carcinogen. One of the most thoroughly studied examples of isothiocyanate inhibition of rodent carcinogenesis is inhibition of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)-induced lung tumorigenesis by PEITC. This occurs because PEITC blocks the metabolic activation of NNK, resulting in increased urinary excretion of detoxified metabolites. Similar effects on NNK metabolism have been observed in smokers who consumed watercress, a source of PEITC. On the basis of these observations and knowledge of the carcinogenic constituents of cigarette smoke, a strategy for chemoprevention of lung cancer can be developed.

Risk assessment is now recognized as a multidisciplinary process, extending beyond the scope of traditional epidemiologic methodology to include biological evaluation of interindividual differences in carcinogenic susceptibility. Modulation of environmental exposures by host genetic factors may explain much of the observed interindividual variation in susceptibility to carcinogenesis. These genetic factors include, but are not limited to, carcinogen metabolism and DNA repair capacity. This chapter describes a standardized method for the functional assessment of mutagen sensitivity. This in vitro assay measures the frequency of mutagen-induced breaks in the chromosomes of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Mutagen sensitivity assessed by this method has been shown to be a significant risk factor for tobacco-related maladies, especially those of the upper aerodigestive tract. Mutagen sensitivity may therefore be a useful member of a panel of susceptibility markers for defining high-risk subgroups for chemoprevention trials. This chapter describes methods for and discusses results from studies of mutagen sensitivity as measured by quantifying chromatid breaks induced by clastogenic agents, such as the γ-radiation mimetic DNA cross-linking agent bleomycin and chemicals that form so-called bulky DNA adducts, such as 4-nitroquinoline and the tobacco smoke constituent benzo[a]pyrene, in short-term cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Most carcinogens require activation to electrophilic metabolites or species that generate reactive oxygen in order to initiate the tumorigenic process. These reactive intermediates can, in turn, be detoxified by endogenous enzyme systems that aid in the protection of cells from either toxic or mutagenic product formation. The levels of many of these enzymes are elevated by numerous compounds found in the diet, or by antioxidants. Recent evidence describes the mechanism for this induction of carcinogen detoxication enzymes to be regulated at the transcriptional level. Nuclear transcription factors bound to sites common among these carcinogen detoxication genes are activated by as yet unknown signal transduction pathways. The activity of these nuclear transcription factors are modulated by pro- and antioxidant reagents, suggesting that a redox-sensitive component governs the induction of enzymes involved in carcinogen metabolism. In this review, evidence for the redox regulation of the genes encoding carcinogen detoxication enzymes is presented. Evidence is also presented suggesting the participation of nuclear factor k B (NF- k B), mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, and basic leucine zipper (bZIP) proteins and their activation pathways in this induction.

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is assuming prominence in developmental genetics research. By comparison, little is known of tumorigenesis and nothing is known of carcinogen metabolism in this species. This study evaluated the ability of zebrafish to metabolize a well-characterized human carcinogen, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), to phase I and phase II metabolites and assessed hepatic AFB1-DNA adduction in vivo. Fish i.p. injected with 50-400 micrograms [3H]AFB1/kg body wt displayed a linear dose response for hepatic DNA binding at 24 hr. AFB1-DNA adduct levels among treatments showed no statistical difference over the period from 1 to 21 days after injection, suggesting poor adduct repair in this species. DNA binding in female fish was 1-7-fold higher than that in males (p0.01). An in vitro AFB1 metabolism assay verified that zebrafish liver extracts oxidize AFB1 to the 8,9-epoxide proximate electrophile (Km = 79.0 +/- 16.4 microM, Vmax = 11.7 +/- 1.4 pmol/min/mg protein at 28 degrees C). The excretion of AFB1 and its metabolites was also examined by HPLC. As is typical of other fish studied, major metabolites excreted were aflatoxicol (AFL) and aflatoxicol-glucuronide (AFL-g), followed by unreacted AFB1. AFL appeared as early as 5 min after injection, whereas AFL-g was a significant metabolite after 18 hr. This study shows that in vivo administration of AFB1 to zebrafish results in moderate adduction of the carcinogen to liver DNA and that zebrafish have the capacity for both phase I and phase II metabolism of AFB1. The approximate fourfold difference between rainbow trout and zebrafish AFB1-DNA covalent binding index appears insufficient to explain the relative resistance of zebrafish to dietary AFB1 hepatocarcinogenicity.

One in four deaths in the United States is cancer-related, and colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-associated deaths. Screening strategies are utilized but have not reduced disease incidence or mortality. In this regard, there is an interest in cancer preventive strategies focusing on lifestyle intervention, where specific etiologic factors involved in cancer initiation, promotion, and progression could be targeted. For example, exposure to dietary carcinogens, such as nitrosamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons influences colon carcinogenesis. Furthermore, dietary deficiencies could alter sensitivity to genetic damage and influence carcinogen metabolism contributing to CRC. High alcohol consumption increases the risk of mutations including the fact that acetaldehyde, an ethanol metabolite, is classified as a group 1 carcinogen. Tobacco smoke exposure is also a risk factor for cancer development; approximately 20% of CRCs are associated with smoking. Additionally, obese patients have a higher risk of cancer development, which is further supported by the fact that physical activity decreases CRC risk by 55%. Similarly, chronic inflammatory conditions also increase the risk of CRC development. Moreover, the circadian clock alters digestion and regulates other biochemical, physiological, and behavioral processes that could influence CRC. Taken together, colon carcinogenesis involves a number of etiological factors, and therefore, to create effective preventive strategies, molecular targets need to be identified and beleaguered prior to disease progression. With this in mind, the following is a comprehensive review identifying downstream target proteins of the above lifestyle risk factors, which are modulated during colon carcinogenesis and could be targeted for CRC prevention by novel agents including phytochemicals.

The available data support the concept that high-fat diets increase cytochrome P-450 activities in the liver, leading to increased rates of carcinogen metabolism and, in some instances, DNA adduct formation. Therefore we investigated whether a high-fat diet can also influence DNA methylation by the tobacco-specific nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) in the lungs of rats. Male F344 rats were fed a regular AIN-76A low-fat (5% corn oil) or AIN-76A high-fat (23.5% corn oil) diet. After three weeks on this dietary regimen, the animals were injected subcutaneously once daily for four days with NNK at 0.39 mmol/kg body wt. Groups of rats were sacrificed 4 and 24 hours after the last NNK administration; livers and lungs were excised for DNA isolation. We found that the high-fat diet significantly enhanced the formation of O6-methylguanine (O6-mGua) in the rat lung four hours (p < 0.01) after the last carcinogen administration. This may, in part, account for our previous finding in regard to the enhancing effect of the high-fat diet on NNK-induced lung carcinogenesis. There was no effect on O6-mGua or 7-mGua in the rat liver at either time point. To further elucidate the enhancing effect of the high-fat diet on DNA methylation by NNK in the lung, we determined its effect on the in vitro and in vivo metabolism of NNK. The in vitro data indicated that dietary fat has no measurable effect on liver and lung microsomal mixed-function oxidase in catalyzing the metabolic activation of NNK. The results of the metabolism study of NNK in vivo appear to be consistent with the in vitro finding, in that fat had no effect on the excretion pattern of NNK or on the distribution pattern of its urinary metabolites. It is apparent that the enhancing effect of the high-fat diet on O6-mGua in the lung of rats that was measured four hours after NNK injection requires future investigations.

Expression of enzymes metabolizing drugs, carcinogens, and other chemicals ("xenobiotics") is regulated by the interplay of genetic, host, and environmental factors, leading in human populations to a marked interindividual variability. On this basis it is speculated that individual differences in cancer susceptibility could be explained to a certain extent by interindividual differences in metabolic activation. CYP dependence of carcinogen activation is briefly reviewed; CYP2A6 as a more specific example and some consequences and corollaries are briefly discussed. At present, no consensus has been reached about the significance of interindividual differences (genetic or nongenetic) in carcinogen metabolism in cancer etiology. The likely reason is that chemically induced cancer is still a multifactorial, multistage disease involving numerous events before a clinically manifested disease develops. Molecular biological methods such as RFLP and PCR-based techniques as well as molecular dosimetry are making it possible to investigate the genetic background of individual subjects and environmental influences without biases caused by diseases, age, treatment, and other factors, which have plagued studies thus far.

Naturally occurring and synthetic isothiocyanates are among the most effective chemopreventive agents known. A wide variety of isothiocyanates prevents cancer in the rat lung, mammary gland, esophagus, liver, small intestine, colon, and bladder. Mechanistic studies have shown that this chemopreventive activity is due to favorable modification of phase I and phase II carcinogen metabolism, resulting in increased carcinogen excretion or detoxification and decreased carcinogen DNA interactions. Most studies reported that the isothiocyanate must be present at carcinogen exposure in order to effect tumorigenesis inhibition. Our studies focus on naturally occurring isothiocyanates phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) and benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) as lung cancer inhibitors. These studies employed the major lung carcinogens in tobacco smoke, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP). Combining chemopreventive agents that inhibit tumorigenesis by NNK and BaP in rodents may be effective in addicted smokers. PEITC inhibits lung tumor induction by NNK in F-344 rats and A/J mice, while BITC inhibits BaP-induced lung tumorigenesis in A/J mice; combining the two inhibits lung tumorigenesis by combined NNK and BaP in A/J mice. PEITC selectively inhibits metabolic activation of NNK in the rodent lung, while inducing glucuronidation of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL), one of the major NNK metabolites. Thus, PEITC decreases DNA and hemoglobin adduct formation by NNK while increasing the amounts of NNAL and its glucuronide excreted in the urine. Presently available data indicate that non-toxic doses of PEITC can inhibit the metabolic activation and carcinogenicity of NNK in rat and mouse lung; BITC has similar effects on BaP activation and tumorigenicity in mouse lung. Thus, combinations of chemopreventive agents active against different carcinogens in tobacco smoke may be useful in the chemoprevention of lung cancer.