The 21st International Symposium of the Princess Takamatsu Cancer Resarch Fund covered advances in chemical carcinogenesis and cancer chemotherapy. It notes that humans are continuously exposed to carcinogens, so the amount of carcinogenic xenobiotics and the human response to them is important.

Xenobiotics in Chemical Carcinogenesis: Translational Aspects in Toxicology covers the translational toxicology of xenobiotics substances in carcinogenesis by explaining the toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic, toxicogenomic, biotransformation, and resistance mechanisms in the human body. The book begins with a historical review and link to future prospects for chemical carcinogenesis. It discusses major environmental xenobiotics and their risks in inducing cancer, along with content on toxic xenobiotics and their routes of exposure in humans, the role of xenobiotic metabolism in carcinogenesis, and the toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic of xenobiotics in cancer development. Lastly, the book explores current achievements such as using toxicogenomics for predicting the carcinogenicity of xenobiotic substances and the challenges posed by carcinogenic xenobiotic substances when examining preventive methods, diagnosis, and the development of anticancer drugs for specific toxicants. Covers the exposure and transmission of various toxic xenobiotics substances, including nanomaterials, to humans and their interaction with specific tissues in precipitating the development of cancers Unravels the toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic processes of toxic xenobiotics in bioaccumulation Examines the genetic aberrations in cancer genomes by genetic-environmental interactions in carcinogenesis Explains the biotransformation mechanisms of toxic xenobiotics by gut microbes in humans

This report considers the biological and behavioral mechanisms that may underlie the pathogenicity of tobacco smoke. Many Surgeon General's reports have considered research findings on mechanisms in assessing the biological plausibility of associations observed in epidemiologic studies. Mechanisms of disease are important because they may provide plausibility, which is one of the guideline criteria for assessing evidence on causation. This report specifically reviews the evidence on the potential mechanisms by which smoking causes diseases and considers whether a mechanism is likely to be operative in the production of human disease by tobacco smoke. This evidence is relevant to understanding how smoking causes disease, to identifying those who may be particularly susceptible, and to assessing the potential risks of tobacco products.

"chemical carcinogenesis" is the general title of the series of international meetings which are held, biannually, in sardinia (Italy) since 1981. Despite the generality of the title, the main effort of the scientific Committee has been to pursue a coherent line around one of the most distinguishing features of carcinogenesis: the "multifasic" development of the process. Given that many chemical compounds are known to cause "experimental cancer", many questions still remain unresolved or are given too simplistic answers. The very first question concerning the interaction between the chemical carcinogen and the molecular target in the cell is a debatable one despite the overwhelming literature in this field. It is certain that chemical carcinogens are toxic to cells and cause DNA damage: however it is still an open question as to how to relate these changes to the different stages of carcinogenesis including initiation. We have not to forget that 1/3 to 2/3 of the average life time of a given species elapses between the experimental administration of the carcinogen and the appearance of "cancer". The experimental manipulation of carcinogenesis through the use of "adequate biological models" has not simplified the problems about cancer, but it has led us to face the complexity of otherwise elementary biological properties, cell proliferation and differentiation. The understanding of this biological complexity is not just theoretical, but it may give us those adequate conceptual tools to approach "cancer" also from a medical point of view.

This volume will provide a contemporary account of advances in chemical carcinogenesis. It will promote the view that it is chemical alteration of the DNA that is a route cause of many cancers. The multi-stage model of chemical carcinogenesis, exposure to major classes of human carcinogens and their mode-of-action will be a focal point. The balance between metabolic activation to form biological reactive intermediates and their detoxification, ensuing DNA-lesions and their repair will be profiled. It will describe the chemical changes that occur in DNA that result from endogenous insults including epigenetic changes that lead to gene silencing. It will describe major mechanisms of mutagenesis, affects on tumor suppressor genes and proto-oncogenes, and how cell-cycle check points can be by-passed by the "stealth-like" properties of chemical carcinogens. Environmental agents that can promote tumor formation will be discussed. The monograph will have wide appeal as a knowledge base for graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and faculty interested in this aspect of cancer causation and research.

Despite increasing knowledge of human nutrition, the dietary contribution to cancer remains a troubling question. Carcinogens and Anticarcinogens assembles the best available information on the magnitude of potential cancer riskâ€"and potential anticarcinogenic effectâ€"from naturally occurring chemicals compared with risk from synthetic chemical constituents. The committee draws important conclusions about diet and cancer, including the carcinogenic role of excess calories and fat, the anticarcinogenic benefit of fiber and other substances, and the impact of food additive regulation. The book offers recommendations for epidemiological and diet research. Carcinogens and Anticarcinogens provides a readable overview of issues and addresses critical questions: Does diet contribute to an appreciable proportion of human cancer? Are there significant interactions between carcinogens and anticarcinogens in the diet? The volume discusses the mechanisms of carcinogenic and anticarcinogenic properties and considers whether techniques used to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of synthetics can be used with naturally occurring chemicals. The committee provides criteria for prioritizing the vast number of substances that need to be tested. Carcinogens and Anticarcinogens clarifies the issues and sets the direction for further investigations into diet and cancer. This volume will be of interest to anyone involved in food and health issues: policymakers, regulators, researchers, nutrition professionals, and health advocates.