Antimutagenesis and anticarcinogenesis, from the past to the future

Observations on cancer causation are some 150 years old, but actual detaile d research on elements bearing on cancer started at the beginning of the tw entieth century. Rapid progress, however, is only some 40 years old, Studie s in humans documented certain lifestyle related factors to lead to cancer, and research in animal models strengthened this information. With the real ization that there are carcinogens that in a metabolically activated attack DNA, in contrast to other agents that act by promoting, enhancing processe s through totally distinct mechanisms, it became possible to develop and ap ply tests for DNA reactivity, in a prokaryotic organism, the widely used Sa lmonella typhimurium test by Ames and in a eukaryotic system, namely freshl y explanted liver cells displaying evidence of DNA repair by Williams. A ba ttery of these two tests are over 90% accurate in defining genotoxicity. Vi rtually all documented human carcinogens are genotoxic. With advances in mo lecular biology, mutational events are traced to changes in tumor suppresso r genes or in oncogenes, that can serve as markers of risk. In addition, re active oxygen systems (ROS) are involved in both the early steps in cancer and in the developmental aspects. Thus, foods containing antioxidants such as vegetables, fruits, soy products, cocoa and tea that counteract ROS are protective in cancer causation and development. Worldwide application of cu rrent knowledge and mechanisms to cancer prevention, the definitive means o f cancer control, is likely to lower not only cancer but also heart disease risk in the current century. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights res erved.