Merit Research Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences (ISSN: 2354-323X) Vol. 6(9) pp. 303-306, September, 2018 Available online http://www.meritresearchjournals.org/mms/index.htm Copyright © 2018 Merit Research Journals Review Cancer Cause: Biological, Chemical and Physical Carcinogens Asst. Prof. Dr. Chateen I. Ali Pambuk* and Fatma Mustafa Muhammad Abstract College of Dentistry / University of Cancer arises from abnormal changes of cells that divide without control Tikrit and are able to spread to the rest of the body. These changes are the result of the interaction between the individual genetic factors and three *Corresponding Author Email: categories of external factors: a chemical carcinogens, radiation, hormonal [email protected]. imbalance, genetic mutations and genetic factors. Genetic deviation leads to Mobile phone No. 009647701808805 the initiation of the cancer process, while the carcinogen may be a key component in the development and progression of cancer in the future. Although the factors that make someone belong to a group with a higher risk of cancer, the majority of cancers actually occur in people who do not have known factors. The aim of this descriptive mini-review, generally, is to shed light on the main cause of cancer and vital factors in cellular system and extracellular system that may be involved with different types of tumors. Keywords: Cancer, Cancer cause, physical Carcinogens, Chemical carcinogens, biological carcinogens INTRODUCTION Carcinogen is any substance (radioactive or radiation) .Furthermore, the chemicals mostly involve as the that is directly involved in the cause of cancer. This may primary cause of cancer, from which dioxins, such as be due to the ability to damage the genome or to disrupt benzene, kibon, ethylene bipromide and asbestos, are cellular metabolism or both rendering the cell to be classified as carcinogens (IUPAC Recommendations, sensitive for cancer development. Many radioactive 2012). substances are carcinogens, but their cancer activity After the carcinogens enter the body, the body tries to varies depending on the type of radiation that may be eliminate them through a process called gamma rays or emitted alpha particles. There are also biotransformation. The purpose of these reactions is to non-radioactive carcinogens, most commonly inhaled make carcinogens more soluble in water so that they can asbestos, some dioxins, and tobacco smoke . Although be removed from the body. However, in some cases there are some carcinogens occur as natural substances these reactions can convert a less toxic carcinogen into a such as some types of poisonous mushrooms, most of more toxic carcinogen. A co-carcinogen is a chemical the known carcinogens are manufactured materials that does not necessarily cause cancer on its own, but (Java, 2008). increases the activity of other carcinogens (Yue et al., There are many natural carcinogens. Aflatoxin, which 2003). is produced by a fungus grown in stored grains, nuts and peanut butter, is an example of strong natural substances that cause microbial cancer. Some viruses and also Chemical Carcinogens bacteria can actively cause cancer or associate to cause it. The first virus that led to cancer in animals is Ross The chemical compounds used in the manufacture of Sarcoma, which was discovered in 1910 by a Russian food commodities, such as color, flavor enhancer, 304 Merit Res. J. Med. Med. Sci. preservative, food fortifier, etc., have many health to calcify or corrode the same living cell depending on problems, especially if their concentrations exceed the where the carcinogenic compound has been subjected to permissible limits, important role in the composition of enzymatic interaction. It turns into a carcinogenic natural food. Contribute to altering mutations that may compound. alter the composition of cells to be more likely to become cancerous cells. There are many chemical agents that humans use or are exposed to occasionally, other than in Physical Carcinogens foods, may cause cancer as they are able to cause cellular changes at the genetic level These changes are Radiation permanent, causing a permanent mutation called somatic mutation (Vogelstein and Feoron, 1990). These changes All radionuclides are defined as carcinogens, although may be temporary and end, and both types may affect the nature of radiation emitted (alpha, beta, gamma, cell growth or cause death (Yuspa et al.1994). Tobacco neutron) determines their ability to ionize tissue. Cancer smoke is the cause of cancer, in which the smoking resulting from radiation depends on the type of radiation, causes 30% of deaths and 87% of lung cancer cases, the type of exposure and penetration. For example, alpha affecting not only the lungs but also kidneys, pancreas, radiation has a low penetration of surfaces, but can cervix, stomach cancer, blood, and spinal cord. (Schoket, cause cancer when inhaled or ingested. Moreover, X-ray 2004; Phillips, 2002). Alcohol, as well as many of its is a human carcinogen known for its retention in various agents, is important and prominent causes of cancer, devices and the continuous emission of alpha particles. which may cause oral and throat cancer (Aronson, 2003) Ionizing radiation directly affects by its interaction with life and that ethyl alcohol is chemically carcinogenic with systems. Its indirect effects include the release of free Chemical formula (C 2H5OH). The mechanisms of the vital ionic roots with solutions and produce damage to the effect, which is produced by these carcinogens, is on the DNA molecule. Oxidation processes lead to cancer efficiency of detoxifying enzymes which are responsible (Upton, 1991). Non ionizing radiation with magnetic for the metabolism of carcinogenic chemicals electron field can be utilized in Neuropsychiatric (Isoenzymes) such as cytochrome (P450), which syndromes (Danilin et al., 1999). Non-Ionizing Radiation metabolizes chemicals to produce less or more toxic causes the removal of granules of multiple forms of white substances from primary compounds(Yang, et al. 1994). blood cells causing leukemia (Paptheofanis, 1990) On the other hand ethanol and acetate oxidants are catalysts (Yang et al., 1992). Benzene and its derivatives are chemicals that have an effect on cancer as they Mineral Fibers cause leukemia and lymphoma (Landrigan and Nicholsons, 1989). While Nitrogen, Nitrites and Nitrates The mineral fiber is a cancer-causing chemical, such as are carcinogenic substances, as primary and secondary asbestos fibers. The asbestos is found in the primary amines render their genetic cytotoxicity properties and foodstuff, such as vegetables, meat and oils, it is found in carcinogenicity of their ability to interact with the cellular cement used for construction. Asbestos fibers work molecule to form alkalizing agents. Moreover, arsenic is a through certain mechanisms on the development of carcinogen, although it is used in the treatment of acute various types of cancer (Hansen and Mosman, 1997), leukemia, but exposure to arsenic cancauses which stimulates chromosomal abnormalities, genetic chromosomal changes as it is likely to effect in the end of mutations, exchange of sister chromatids, neoplastic the chromosome fusions end interventions the transformation and deletion of chromosomes (Ault et al., telomeres action. 1995; Hester berg and Barrett, 1995). Furthermore, silica Because of its inhibitory effect in the telomerase fibers contain materials of Carcinogenic properties that enzyme. This causes damage to the end of enter the body of the workers in factories by inhalation chromosomes and to induce carcinogenesis or cancer causing lung cancer (Hoet et al., 2004). cell death. Here, ironically, the contrasting effectiveness of arsenic is shown to cause cancer or treat it (Chou etal 2001). Many types of drugs that promote the growth of Biological Carcinogens cancerous tumors after development of cancer, such as Amitriptyline, Desipramine, Fluoxetine (Brandes et al., There are many biological carcinogens that cause 1992). Furthermore, drugs used for the treatment of cancer, as breast, endometrial and prostate cancers stress such as Reserpine cause breast cancer in humans which are caused by steroid hormones that stimulate cell (Weiner, et al 1999). growth and the reproduction in sexual and somatic The chemical compounds do not directly affect the organs (Sonnonschen and Soto, 2005). Some types of formation of cancer, but their metabolites within the bacteria increase the risk of cancer as in peptic ulcer organism can cause cancer. These compounds are bacteria Helicobacter pylori (Versalovic, 2003), which is transformed into electrophilic reagents that may be able an intermediate stage in the development of gastric Pambuk and Muhammad 305 cancer (Correa, 1992). In addition, there is a carcinogenic mutation or DNA rearrangement and Promotor insertion pathogenicbacteria, as in Helicobacter hepticus , which (Reddy, et al. 1992; Hemminki, 1993). The second gene stimulates the development of gastroenteritis (Tomczak type is the Tumor suppressor genes, which encodes et al., 2001). Furthermore, there are also some fungi that proteins and inhibits cell transformation and enhance the may cause the infection. The most prominent of these ceasing of their growth and differentiation and induce fungi those living on stored foods, which produced a programmed cell death (Clark et al., 1993). The most fungultoxin Aflatoxin B1 (AFB) produced by important gene of this type is P 53 a 53-kd molecular Aspergillusflavuns