Exposure to dimethylarsinic acid, a main metabolite of inorganic arsenics, strongly promotes tumorigenesis initiated by 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide in the lungs of mice.

The effect of dimethylarsenics on the pulmonary tumorigenesis initiated by 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO) in mice was examined. The exposure of mice to dimethylarsinic acid (DMAA), a major metabolite of inorganic arsenics in mammals, resulted in not only promotion but also progression of the tumorigenic process in the lungs of mice administered 4NQO. Furthermore, dimethylarsenics influenced the differentiation process in lung tumorigenesis by 4NQO. These results may pave the way for the elucidation of lung carcinogenesis caused by arsenics.