Role of Iron in Estrogen-Induced Cancer

Authors: Liehr J.G.; Jones J.Shawn

Source: Current Medicinal Chemistry, Volume 8, Number 7, June 2001 , pp. 839-849(11)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

Redox cycling of catecholestrogen metabolites between quinone and catechol forms is a mechanism of generating potentially mutagenic oxygen radicals in estrogen-induced carcinogenesis. Consistent with this concept, multiple forms of oxygen radical-generated DNA damage are induced by estrogen in cell-free systems, in cells in culture and in rodents prone to estrogen-induced cancer. Metal ions, specifically iron, are necessary for the production of hydroxy radicals. Iron has not received much attention in discussions of estrogen-induced carcinogenesis and human hormone-associated cancer, and is the focus of this review. An elevated dietary iron intake enhances the incidence of carcinogen-induced mammary cancer in rats and estrogen-induced kidney tumors in Syrian hamsters. Estrogen administration increases iron accumulation in hamsters and facilitates iron uptake by cells in culture. In humans, elevated body iron storage has been shown to increase the risk of several cancers including breast cancer. A role of iron in hormone-associated cancer in humans offers attractive routes for cancer prevention by regulating metal ion metabolism and interfering with iron accumulation in tissues.

Keywords: Estrogen-Induced Cancer; Lipid Hydroperoxides

Language: English

Document Type: Review article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867013372931

Publication date: 2001-06-01

• Current Medicinal Chemistry covers all the latest and outstanding developments in medicinal chemistry and rational drug design. Each issue contains a series of timely in-depth reviews written by leaders in the field covering a range of the current topics in medicinal chemistry. Current Medicinal Chemistry is an essential journal for every medicinal chemist who wishes to be kept informed and up-to-date with the latest and most important developments.

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