"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.

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

During October 18-30, 1981, the second course of the International School of Pure and Applied Biostructure, a NATO Advanced Study Institute, was held at the Ettore Majorana Center for Scientific Culture in Erice, Italy, co-sponsored by the International Union Against Cancer, the Italian League Against Cancer, the Italian Ministry of Public Education, the Italian Ministry of Scientific and Technological Research, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Italian National Research Council, the Sicilian Regional Government and two pharmaceutical Companies (Zambeletti and Farmitalia). The subject of the course was "Chemical Carcino genesis" with participants selected world-wide from 18 different countries. It is now eminently clear that.the bulk of human cancers are related to one of several types of environmental exposure. Of the environmental hazards, chemicals are among the best characterized carcinogens. However, how chemicals induce cancer is still poorly understood. Because of the magnitude of the problem and the ob vious need for a much more critical scientific analysis of the process by which cancer is induced (carcinogenesis), it was highly desirable to expose a greater number of scientists with varying background to some of the latest thinking in chemical carcino genesis. The course had this as its major objective and the re sulting book does reflect it.

About two centuries after the communication by Sir Percival Pott that the "chimney sweeper disease" was a cancer and its suggestion that active compounds of soot were the causative agents, and about one century after the description of urinary bladder cancer in dye workers, an enormous number of substances have been synthesized and have probably come into contact with man. Research in cancer prevention is of primary importance, and may receive continuous support from new discoveries on cancer etiology and pathogenesis. If one accepts the multistage model of chemical carcinogenesis, one has also to accept that many events occur between the contact of carcino genic compounds and their specific targets and the development of a clinically recognizable neoplasm. Thus, animal studies become essential to elucidate the different steps by which chemical carcinogens induce neoplasia. The analysis of these steps and the comparative evaluation of experimental models is essential to an understanding of pathogenesis.

Toxicologic pathology integrates toxicology and the disciplines within it (such as biochemistry, pharmacodynamics and risk assessment) to pathology and its related disciplines (such as physiology, microbiology, immunology, and molecular biology). Fundamentals of Toxicologic Pathology Second Edition updates the information presented in the first edition, including five entirely new chapters addressing basic concepts in toxicologic pathology, along with color photomicrographs that show examples of specific toxicant-induced diseases in animals. The current edition also includes comparative information that will prove a valuable resource to practitioners, including diagnostic pathologists and toxicologists. - 25% brand new information, fully revised throughout - New chapters: Veterinary Diagnostic Toxicologic Pathology; Clinical Pathology; Nomenclature: Terminology for Morphologic Alterations; Techniques in Toxicologic Pathology - New color photomicrographs detailing specific toxicant-induced diseases in animals - Mechanistic information integrated from both toxicology and pathology discussing basic mechanisms of toxic injury and morphologic expression at the subcellular, cellular, and tissue levels