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Mozzoni P, Pinelli S, Corradi M, Ranzieri S, Cavallo D, Poli D. Environmental/Occupational Exposure to Radon and Non-Pulmonary Neoplasm Risk: A Review of Epidemiologic Evidence. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:10466. [PMID: 34639764 PMCID: PMC8508162 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Although Radon (Rn) is a known agent for lung cancer, the link between Rn exposure and other non-pulmonary neoplasms remains unclear. The aim of this review is to investigate the role of Rn in the development of tumors other than lung cancer in both occupational and environmental exposure. Particularly, our attention has been focused on leukemia and tumors related to brain and central nervous system (CNS), skin, stomach, kidney, and breast. The epidemiologic literature has been systematically reviewed focusing on workers, general population, and pediatric population. A weak increase in leukemia risk due to Rn exposure was found, but bias and confounding factors cannot be ruled out. The results of studies conducted on stomach cancer are mixed, although with some prevalence for a positive association with Rn exposure. In the case of brain and CNS cancer and skin cancer, results are inconclusive, while no association was found for breast and kidney cancers. Overall, the available evidence does not support a conclusion that a causal association has been established between Rn exposure and the risk of other non-pulmonary neoplasms mainly due to the limited number and heterogeneity of existing studies. To confirm this result, a statistical analysis should be necessary, even if it is now not applicable for the few studies available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Mozzoni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy; (P.M.); (S.P.); (M.C.); (S.R.)
- Centre for Research in Toxicology (CERT), University of Parma, Via A. Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Silvana Pinelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy; (P.M.); (S.P.); (M.C.); (S.R.)
| | - Massimo Corradi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy; (P.M.); (S.P.); (M.C.); (S.R.)
- Centre for Research in Toxicology (CERT), University of Parma, Via A. Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Silvia Ranzieri
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy; (P.M.); (S.P.); (M.C.); (S.R.)
| | - Delia Cavallo
- INAIL Research, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Via Fontana Candida 1, 00078 Monte Porzio Catone, Italy;
| | - Diana Poli
- INAIL Research, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Via Fontana Candida 1, 00078 Monte Porzio Catone, Italy;
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Robertson A, Allen J, Laney R, Curnow A. The cellular and molecular carcinogenic effects of radon exposure: a review. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:14024-63. [PMID: 23880854 PMCID: PMC3742230 DOI: 10.3390/ijms140714024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2013] [Revised: 06/14/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Radon-222 is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is responsible for approximately half of the human annual background radiation exposure globally. Chronic exposure to radon and its decay products is estimated to be the second leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking, and links to other forms of neoplasms have been postulated. Ionizing radiation emitted during the radioactive decay of radon and its progeny can induce a variety of cytogenetic effects that can be biologically damaging and result in an increased risk of carcinogenesis. Suggested effects produced as a result of alpha particle exposure from radon include mutations, chromosome aberrations, generation of reactive oxygen species, modification of the cell cycle, up or down regulation of cytokines and the increased production of proteins associated with cell-cycle regulation and carcinogenesis. A number of potential biomarkers of exposure, including translocations at codon 249 of TP53 in addition to HPRT mutations, have been suggested although, in conclusion, the evidence for such hotspots is insufficient. There is also substantial evidence of bystander effects, which may provide complications when calculating risk estimates as a result of exposure, particularly at low doses where cellular responses often appear to deviate from the linear, no-threshold hypothesis. At low doses, effects may also be dependent on cellular conditions as opposed to dose. The cellular and molecular carcinogenic effects of radon exposure have been observed to be both numerous and complex and the elevated chronic exposure of man may therefore pose a significant public health risk that may extend beyond the association with lung carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Robertson
- Clinical Photobiology, European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, UK; E-Mails: (J.A.); (A.C.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +44-1872-256-432; Fax: +44-1872-256-497
| | - James Allen
- Clinical Photobiology, European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, UK; E-Mails: (J.A.); (A.C.)
| | - Robin Laney
- Clinical Oncology, Sunrise Centre, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3LJ, UK; E-Mail:
| | - Alison Curnow
- Clinical Photobiology, European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, UK; E-Mails: (J.A.); (A.C.)
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Olsson MG, Nilsson EJC, Rutardóttir S, Paczesny J, Pallon J, Åkerström B. Bystander Cell Death and Stress Response is Inhibited by the Radical Scavenger α1-Microglobulin in Irradiated Cell Cultures. Radiat Res 2010; 174:590-600. [DOI: 10.1667/rr2213.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Ma S, Liu X, Jiao B, Yang Y, Liu X. Low-dose radiation-induced responses: focusing on epigenetic regulation. Int J Radiat Biol 2010; 86:517-28. [PMID: 20545569 DOI: 10.3109/09553001003734592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE With the widespread use of ionising radiation, the risks of low-dose radiation have been increasingly highlighted for special attention. This review introduces the potential role of epigenetic elements in the regulation of the effects of low-dose radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS The related literature has been analysed according to the topics of DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodelling and non-coding RNA modulation in low-dose radiation responses. RESULTS DNA methylation and radiation can reciprocally regulate effects, especially in the low-dose radiation area. The relationship between histone methylation and radiation mainly exists in the high-dose radiation area; histone deacetylase inhibitors show a promising application to enhance radiation sensitivity, both in the low-dose and high-dose areas; phosphorylated histone 2 AX (H2AX) shows a low sensitivity with 1-15 Gy irradiation as compared with lower dose radiation; and histone ubiquitination plays an important role in DNA damage repair mechanisms. Moreover, chromatin remodelling has an integral role in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks and the response of chromatin to ionising radiation. Finally, the effect of radiation on microRNA expression seems to vary according to cell type, radiation dose, and post-irradiation time point. CONCLUSION Small advances have been made in the understanding of epigenetic regulation of low-dose radiation responses. Many questions and blind spots deserve to be investigated. Many new epigenetic elements will be identified in low-dose radiation responses, which may give new insights into the mechanisms of radiation response and their exploitation in radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shumei Ma
- Key Laboratory of Radiobiology (Ministry of Health), School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Scott BR. A biological-based model that links genomic instability, bystander effects, and adaptive response. Mutat Res 2004; 568:129-43. [PMID: 15530546 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2004.06.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2004] [Revised: 05/24/2004] [Accepted: 06/04/2004] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
This paper links genomic instability, bystander effects, and adaptive response in mammalian cell communities via a novel biological-based, dose-response model called NEOTRANS3. The model is an extension of the NEOTRANS2 model that addressed stochastic effects (genomic instability, mutations, and neoplastic transformation) associated with brief exposure to low radiation doses. With both models, ionizing radiation produces DNA damage in cells that can be associated with varying degrees of genomic instability. Cells with persistent problematic instability (PPI) are mutants that arise via misrepair of DNA damage. Progeny of PPI cells also have PPI and can undergo spontaneous neoplastic transformation. Unlike NEOTRANS2, with NEOTRANS3 newly induced mutant PPI cells and their neoplastically transformed progeny can be suppressed via our previously introduced protective apoptosis-mediated (PAM) process, which can be activated by low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation. However, with NEOTRANS3 (which like NEOTRANS2 involves cross-talk between nongenomically compromised [e.g., nontransformed, nonmutants] and genomically compromised [e.g., mutants, transformants, etc.] cells), it is assumed that PAM is only activated over a relatively narrow, dose-rate-dependent interval (D(PAM),D(off)); where D(PAM) is a small stochastic activation threshold, and D(off) is the stochastic dose above which PAM does not occur. PAM cooperates with activated normal DNA repair and with activated normal apoptosis in guarding against genomic instability. Normal repair involves both error-free repair and misrepair components. Normal apoptosis and the error-free component of normal repair protect mammals by preventing the occurrence of mutant cells. PAM selectively removes mutant cells arising via the misrepair component of normal repair, selectively removes existing neoplastically transformed cells, and probably selectively removes other genomically compromised cells when it is activated. PAM likely involves multiple pathways to apoptosis, with the selected pathway depending on the type of cell to be removed, its cellular environment, and on the nature of the genomic damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- B R Scott
- Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Drive SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, USA.
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Scott BR, Walker DM, Walker VE. Low-dose radiation and genotoxic chemicals can protect against stochastic biological effects. NONLINEARITY IN BIOLOGY, TOXICOLOGY, MEDICINE 2004; 2:185-211. [PMID: 19330143 PMCID: PMC2657487 DOI: 10.1080/15401420490507602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
A protective apoptosis-mediated (PAM) process that is turned on in mammalian cells by low-dose photon (X and gamma) radiation and appears to also be turned on by the genotoxic chemical ethylene oxide is discussed. Because of the PAM process, exposure to low-dose photon radiation (and possibly also some genotoxic chemicals) can lead to a reduction in the risk of stochastic effects such as problematic mutations, neoplastic transformation (an early step in cancer occurrence), and cancer. These findings indicate a need to revise the current low-dose risk assessment paradigm for which risk of cancer is presumed to increase linearly with dose (without a threshold) after exposure to any amount of a genotoxic agent such as ionizing radiation. These findings support a view seldom mentioned in the past, that cancer risk can actually decrease, rather than increase, after exposure to low doses of photon radiation and possibly some other genotoxic agents. The PAM process (a form of natural protection) may contribute substantially to cancer prevention in humans and other mammals. However, new research is needed to improve our understanding of the process. The new research could unlock novel strategies for optimizing cancer prevention and novel protocols for low-dose therapy for cancer. With low-dose cancer therapy, normal tissue could be spared from severe damage while possibly eliminating the cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bobby R Scott
- Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Abstract
Cytogenetic analysis performed 4-13 years after the Chernobyl accident showed an elevated frequency of acentrics, chromatid exchanges, dicentrics and rings in Chernobyl cleanup workers compared to the control group. Cytogenetic data were analyzed according to the information on exposure to radiation (the year when the cleanup workers worked at the Chernobyl station, doses rates, time elapsed since exposure to radiation, and cytogenetic examination) and some lifestyle factors. The data obtained suggested that some types of chromosome aberrations could be influenced by the action of different environmental factors or lifestyle factors. The frequency of acentrics was correlated with the age of the cleanup workers, and the increased chromatid exchange frequency was attributed to smoking. The numbers of dicentrics and rings suggested a genotoxic effect of ionizing radiation that is still present over 13 years after the exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizaveta Neronova
- All Russian Centre of Emergency and Radiation Medicine, Laboratory of Biodosimetry and Clinical Cytogenetics, EMERCOM of Russia, St. Petersburg, Russia.
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Alavanja MCR. Biologic damage resulting from exposure to tobacco smoke and from radon: implication for preventive interventions. Oncogene 2002; 21:7365-75. [PMID: 12379879 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1205798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Cigarette smoking and residential radon are, respectively, the first and second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. Of the approximately 157 000 lung deaths occurring in 2000, approximately 90% can be attributed to cigarette smoking and 30% of the lung cancer deaths among non-smokers can be attributed to residential radon exposure. Although dwarfed by cigarette related lung cancer, lung cancer among lifetime non-smokers is a leading cause of death in the United States, and many other countries, accounting for approximately 16 000 deaths per year in the US. Laboratory studies and epidemiological investigations, particularly those conducted in the past decade, are yielding evidence that tobacco smoke and radon may share important elements of lung cancer's pathologic mechanism(s). Lung cancer prevention among smokers, ex-smokers and lifetime nonsmokers can be enhanced as we learn more about the etiologic mechanism(s) of lung cancer resulting from these and other exposures including diet, non-malignant respiratory diseases, occupational exposures, and susceptibility-gene. In this article we review both laboratory and epidemiologic data that gives insight into the biologic damage done to the lung from these exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C R Alavanja
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 6120 Executive Blvd., Room 8000, Rockville, Maryland, MD 20892, USA.
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Zhou H, Randers-Pehrson G, Waldren CA, Vannais D, Hall EJ, Hei TK. Induction of a bystander mutagenic effect of alpha particles in mammalian cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2000; 97:2099-104. [PMID: 10681418 PMCID: PMC15760 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.030420797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 391] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ever since the discovery of X-rays was made by Röntgen more than a hundred years ago, it has always been accepted that the deleterious effects of ionizing radiation such as mutation and carcinogenesis are attributable mainly to direct damage to DNA. Although evidence based on microdosimetric estimation in support of a bystander effect appears to be consistent, direct proof of such extranuclear/extracellular effects are limited. Using a precision charged particle microbeam, we show here that irradiation of 20% of randomly selected A(L) cells with 20 alpha particles each results in a mutant fraction that is 3-fold higher than expected, assuming no bystander modulation effect. Furthermore, analysis by multiplex PCR shows that the types of mutants induced are significantly different from those of spontaneous origin. Pretreatment of cells with the radical scavenger DMSO had no effect on the mutagenic incidence. In contrast, cells pretreated with a 40 microM dose of lindane, which inhibits cell-cell communication, significantly decreased the mutant yield. The doses of DMSO and lindane used in these experiments are nontoxic and nonmutagenic. We further examined the mutagenic yield when 5-10% of randomly selected cells were irradiated with 20 alpha particles each. Results showed, likewise, a higher mutant yield than expected assuming no bystander effects. Our studies provide clear evidence that irradiated cells can induce a bystander mutagenic response in neighboring cells not directly traversed by alpha particles and that cell-cell communication process play a critical role in mediating the bystander phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Zhou
- Center for Radiological Research, College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
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Roy K, Kodama S, Suzuki K, Watanabe M. Delayed cell death, giant cell formation and chromosome instability induced by X-irradiation in human embryo cells. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 1999; 40:311-322. [PMID: 10748577 DOI: 10.1269/jrr.40.311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
We studied X-ray-induced delayed cell death, delayed giant cell formation and delayed chromosome aberrations in normal human embryo cells to explore the relationship between initial radiation damage and delayed effect appeared at 14 to 55 population doubling numbers (PDNs) after X-irradiation. The delayed effect was induced in the progeny of X-ray survivors in a dose-dependent manner and recovered with increasing PDNs after X-irradiation. Delayed plating for 24 h post-irradiation reduced both acute and delayed lethal damage, suggesting that potentially lethal damage repair (PLDR) can be effective for relieving the delayed cell death. The chromosome analysis revealed that most of the dicentrics (more than 90%) observed in the progeny of X-ray survivors were not accompanied with fragments, in contrast with those observed in the first mitosis after X-irradiation. The present results indicate that the potentiality of genetic instability is determined during the repair process of initial radiation damage and suggest that the mechanism for formation of delayed chromosome aberrations by radiation might be different from that of direct radiation-induced chromosome aberrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Roy
- Department of Health Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Japan
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