Why are Ni+2 and Cr+6 carcinogenic?

[praeclarum]

What is the mechanism by which these cations cause cancer?

 

[DrDu]

Have a look at:

http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol100C/mono100C-10.pdf

 

[praeclarum]

OK...so from this, the short answer appears to be: (1) Ni+2 catalyzes reactions that create reactive oxygen species (peroxide, superoxide). (2) inhibits excision-repair of DNA. (3) cause gene silencing (more methylation of histones, less acetylation).

Wow, I had no idea nickel did all this...