Relation Between Toxicity and Carcinogenesis in the Kidney: an Heuristic Hypothesis

Abstract

Cellular toxicity and cellular carcinogenesis are closely linked. In the kidney, this relationship has been emphasized by the recent discovery of a number ofputatively non-mutagenic chemicals that result in acute and chronic toxicity and ultimately in carcinogenesis, especially in the male rat. Many, but not all such compounds, result in renal PTE phagolysosomal overload. At the same time, known metabolites of other carcinogens, e.g., HCBD and FBPA, result in acute renal injury andlor necrosis, followed by chronic tubular disease, interstitial nephritis, and ultimately carcinogenesis. A series of cell mechanisms have been suggested that lead from acute cell injury to altered control of cell division. These mechanisms appear to involve ion deregulation, (especially [Ca ²⁺]i) resulting from a variety of continued injuries, (e.g., oxida-tive stress from inflammatory cells) and ultimately leading to altered gene expression.