Genetic and environmental interactions

Conference · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977 · Cancer, Suppl.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5370584

Strong, L C

Cancer may result from a multistage process occurring over a long period of time. Presumably, initial and progressive stages of carcinogenesis may be modified by both genetic and environmental factors. Theoretically, genetic factors may alter susceptibility to the carcinogenic effects of an environmental agent at the initial exposure due to variation in metabolism of the carcinogen or variation in specific target cell response to the active carcinogen, or during the latent phase due to numerous factors that might increase the probability of tumor expression, including growth-promoting factors or immunodeficiency states. Observed genetic and environmental interactions in carcinogenesis include an association between genetically determined inducibility of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase and smoking-related cancers, familial susceptibility to certain environmental carcinogens, an association between hereditary disorders of mutagenesis and carcinogenesis, and enhancement of tissue-specific, dominantly inherited tumor predisposition by radiation. Multiple primary tumors occur frequently in genetically predisposed individuals. Specific markers for susceptibility must be sought in order that high-risk individuals be identified and appropriate measures taken for early cancer detection or prevention. Study of the nature of the genetically determined susceptibility and interactions with environmental agents may be revealing in the understanding of carcinogenesis in general.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Texas, Houston
• OSTI ID: 5370584
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Cancer, Suppl.; (United States) Journal Volume: 40:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGY
CARCINOGENESIS
CARCINOGENS
DISEASES
ENZYMES
GENETICS
HYDROCARBONS
IRRADIATION
LOW DOSE IRRADIATION
NEOPLASMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PATHOGENESIS
POLLUTION
RADIOINDUCTION
TOBACCO PRODUCTS