Toxic heavy metal ions

Toxic heavy metal ions, such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, are non-essential elements that can accumulate within the tumor microenvironment (TME) due to environmental exposure or metabolic dysfunction. These ions are recognized as potent carcinogens that promote tumor development and progression by inducing chronic oxidative stress and generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) [1][2]. In the TME, they disrupt genomic stability by causing direct DNA damage and inhibiting essential DNA repair enzymes, such as those involved in nucleotide excision repair [3]. Additionally, heavy metals can alter cellular signaling pathways and epigenetic patterns, contributing to the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and enhanced metastatic potential [4]. While they are not traditional biological targets like receptors or enzymes, they are the focus of therapeutic interventions using chelating agents, which bind the ions to facilitate their excretion, and emerging nanoparticle-based sequestration strategies [5]. Managing the levels of these metals is critical, as their presence in the TME is associated with increased malignancy and resistance to conventional therapies [6].

Other names

Heavy metalsToxic metalsEnvironmental metallic carcinogensMetallotoxinsToxic heavy metal ions in the tumor microenvironment

Chelation of metal ions to form stable, water-soluble complexes for renal or fecal excretion; Sequestration via functionalized nanoparticles to prevent biological interaction within the tumor microenvironment.