Author(s)

Wenxin Wu, Haoran Yang, Zhizhuo Zhang

Corresponding Author

Wenxin Wu

ABSTRACT

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have long been studied as cancer related chemicals, but it was not until recently that the PCBs are considered as initiating agents of cancer. This paper attempts to provide an overview of the initiating ability of one of the most studied congers of PCBs, 4-chlorobiphenyl (PCB3). During the metabolism pathway of PCB3, several noticeable metabolites and byproducts capable of adduct formation were detected. These chemicals were evaluated separately, and quinones were identified as the ultimate cause of adduct formation, with semiquinones and Reactive oxygen species (ROS) involved at a less significant level. The carcinogenic effect caused by DNA damage as a result of the adduct formation was considered. Several studies with rodent and human liver cells were also evaluated to provide experimental support for the initiating capacity of PCB3. These results suggest both theoretically and empirically that PCB3 is capable of initiating cancer. This review is able to conclusively identify PCB3 as an ultimate carcinogen for liver cancer, and reveal some areas that need further studies for clarification.

KEYWORDS

Polychlorinated biphenyl, 4-chlorobipenyl, PCB3, liver cancer, carcinogenicity