Lifestyle factors are responsible for a considerable portion of cancer incidence worldwide, but credible estimates from the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) suggest that the fraction of cancers attributable to toxic environmental exposures is between 7% and 19%. To explore the hypothesis that low-dose exposures to mixtures of chemicals in the environment may be combining to contribute to environmental carcinogenesis, we reviewed 11 hallmark phenotypes of cancer, multiple priority target sites for disruption in each area and prototypical chemical disruptors for all targets, this included dose-response characterizations, evidence of low-dose effects and cross-hallmark effects for all targets and chemicals. In total, 85 examples of chemicals were reviewed for actions on key pathways/mechanisms related to carcinogenesis. Only 15% (13/85) were found to have evidence of a dose-response threshold, whereas 59% (50/85) exerted low-dose effects. No dose-response information was found for the remaining 26% (22/85). Our analysis suggests that the cumulative effects of individual (non-carcinogenic) chemicals acting on different pathways, and a variety of related systems, organs, tissues and cells could plausibly conspire to produce carcinogenic synergies. Additional basic research on carcinogenesis and research focused on low-dose effects of chemical mixtures needs to be rigorously pursued before the merits of this hypothesis can be further advanced. However, the structure of the World Health Organization International Programme on Chemical Safety ‘Mode of Action’ framework should be revisited as it has inherent weaknesses that are not fully aligned with our current understanding of cancer biology.

To understand the nature of negative responses through the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR), we have screened an expression cDNA library for the ability to block BCR-induced growth arrest and apoptosis in the immature B-cell line, WEHI-231. We isolated multiple copies of full-length, unmutated Bcl10, a signaling adaptor molecule encoded by a gene found to translocate to the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) locus in some mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas. A conditionally active form of B-cell lymphoma 10 (Bcl10) protected WEHI-231 cells from BCR-induced apoptosis upon activation. Induction of Bcl10 activity caused rapid activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), but not activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) or p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. These results support genetic and biochemical experiments that have implicated Bcl10 and its binding partners Carma1 and MALT1 in mediating the ability of the BCR to activate NF-κB. The ability of Bcl10 expression to prevent BCR-induced growth arrest and apoptosis of WEHI-231 cells was dependent on NF-κB activation. Finally, overexpression of Bcl10 in primary B cells activated ex vivo promoted the survival of these cells after removal of activating stimuli. Taken together these results support the hypothesis that enhanced BCL10 expression caused by translocation to the IGH locus can promote formation of MALT lymphomas. (Blood. 2005;106:2105-2112)

FK506-binding protein 51 (FKBP51) is an immunophilin with isomerase activity, which performs important biological functions in the cell. It has recently been involved in the apoptosis resistance of malignant melanoma. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of FKBP51 in the control of response to ionizing radiation (Rx) in malignant melanoma. FKBP51-silenced cells showed reduced clonogenic potential after irradiation compared with non-silenced cells. After Rx, we observed apoptosis in FKBP51-silenced cells and autophagy in non-silenced cells. The FKBP51-controlled radioresistance mechanism involves NF-κB. FKBP51 was required for the activation of Rx-induced NF-κB, which in turn inhibited apoptosis by stimulating X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein and promoting authophagy-mediated Bax degradation. Using a tumor–xenograft mouse model, the in vivo pretreatment of tumors with FKBP51-siRNA provoked massive apoptosis after irradiation. Immunohistochemical analysis of 10 normal skin samples and 80 malignant cutaneous melanomas showed that FKBP51 is a marker of melanocyte malignancy, correlating with vertical growth phase and lesion thickness. Finally, we provide evidence that FKBP51 targeting radiosensitizes cancer stem/initiating cells. In conclusion, our study identifies a possible molecular target for radiosensitizing therapeutic strategies against malignant melanoma.

Contrast-induced nephropathy accounts for >10% of all causes of hospital-acquired renal failure, causes a prolonged in-hospital stay and represents a powerful predictor of poor early and late outcome. Mechanisms of contrast-induced nephropathy are not completely understood. In vitro data suggests that contrast media (CM) induces a direct toxic effect on renal tubular cells through the activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. It is unclear whether this effect has a role in the clinical setting. In this work, we evaluated the effects of CM both in vivo and in vitro. By analyzing urine samples obtained from patients who experienced contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI), we verified, by western blot and immunohistochemistry, that CM induces tubular renal cells apoptosis. Furthermore, in cultured cells, CM caused a dose–response increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which triggered Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK1/2) and p38 stress kinases marked activation and thus apoptosis. Inhibition of JNK1/2 and p38 by different approaches (i.e. pharmacological antagonists and transfection of kinase-death mutants of the upstream p38 and JNK kinases) prevented CM-induced apoptosis. Interestingly, N-acetylcysteine inhibited ROS production, and thus stress kinases and apoptosis activation. Therefore, we conclude that CM-induced tubular renal cells apoptosis represents a key mechanism of CI-AKI.