Since our previous symposium in 1995, the pace of research in hormones and cancer has accelerated. Progress in our understanding of hormonal carcinogenic processes has been a direct result of the advances made in cell biology, endocrinology, and carcinogenesis at the molecular level. The newer fields of molecular genetics and cytogenetics already have and are expected to continue to playa major role in furthering our understanding of the cellular and molecular events in hormonal carcinogenesis. It has become increasingly clear that the risk of naturally occurring sex hormones in carcinogenic processes, both in human and in animal models, requires only minute quantities of hormones, at both the serum and tissue levels. Moreover, hormone target tissues for neoplastic transformation, perhaps with the exception of the liver, generally have relatively modest ability to metabolize sex hormones, such as the breast and prostate. Table 1 summarizes the serum, and in most cases, the tissue levels of sex hormones, both endogenously and exogenously ingested, which are associated with increased risk for endocrine-associated cancers such as breast, endometrium, and prostate, as well as the hormone levels of four experimental models that have been shown to elicit high tumor incidences. In contrast to the human, in which the hormone levels are cyclic, however, the latter require continuous hormone exposure at these relatively low levels.

It has been over a decade since the First International Symposium on Hormonal Carcinogenesis convened in 199 1. Since then, the field has rapidly expanded with considerable progress in both breast and prostate cancers; while ovarian and endometrial cancer have been hampered, in part, due to the absence of suitable hormone-mediated animal models. While knock-out, transgenic, and cell-culture systems have been extremely useful in identifying specific genelprotein alterations and the ensuing pathways affected, the precise molecular mechanisms whereby sex hormones elicit their oncogenic effects still remain elusive. Moreover, despite the considerable progress made in breast cancer research, the exact role of progestins in the presence or absence of estrogen in breast growth, differentiation, and malignant transformation is lacking. Elucidating the incipient molecular alterations in earlylpre-invasive lesions elicited by these hormones is a growing important focus of this field. The main purpose of these Symposia has been to address vital questions that impact our understanding of the causation, dependency, progression, resistance, and prevention of hormonally-associated cancers. We are indebted to the Scientific Advisory Board members who worked with us reviewing and offering suggestions to finalize the scientific program. We offer special thanks for the guidance and support of Dr. Gerald Mueller. His wisdom played an indispensable role in maintaining the excellence of these Symposia. We also acknowledge the numerous external reviewers that worked diligently to revise and improve the quality of the manuscripts. We are very grateful to Ms. Tandria Price.

Information gathered from cell-free systems, cell cultures, animal models, and human studies, together provide important insights to our understanding of hormonal cancer causation, development, and prevention; the primary objective of these Symposia. A special emphasis is placed on the two major endocrine-related cancers, that is, breast and prostate. The emerging fields of colon, lung, and pancreatic cancers in relation to hormones are examined.

In the past decade there has been a growing public interest and resurgence in research in the field of hormonal carcinogenesis. This is due to the widespread use of therapeutic hormonal agents worldwide and to the increasing awareness of the causal association of hormones, both endogenous and exogenously administered, and a variety of human cancers. These associations include estrogens in uterine, cervical, vaginal, liver, testicular, prostatic, and possible breast cancers; progesterone and progestational hormones in breast cancer; androgens and anabolic steroids in hepatic and prostatic cancers. Additionally, gonadotrophins playa role in the etiology of ovarian and testicular cancers and thyroid-stimulating hormones in thyroid cancers. Therefore, hormonal carcinogenesis encompasses the study of both natural and synthetic hormonal agents, including growth factors and other peptide and protein factors, which contribute substantially to the etiology of both human and animal neoplasms, benign or malignant. Hormones may be involved in all aspects of neoplastic transformation, including initiation, promotion, and progression, and the inhibition of these processes. There are a number of important issues in women's health that need to be addressed. More than 40 million U. S. women are menopausal, and these women have a life expectancy of over 30 years after the menopause. When these figures are multiplied worldwide, the numbers become staggering. After the menopause, estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) is the choice of most women in industrialized countries.

Endocrine and Hormonal Toxicology Edited by Philip W. Harvey, Kevin C. Rush and Andrew Cockburn AgrEvo UK Ltd, Saffron Walden, UK This is the first book to consider the integrated role of the classical endocrine system and hormones (including those from tissues outside the classical endocrine system) in toxicological responses. Although focusing on the latest knowledge on endocrine glands as target organs and the mechanistic and molecular basis for toxicity in these organs, Endocrine and Hormonal Toxicology has been written to cover toxicological responses at the whole body level mediated by endocrine or hormonal mechanisms. This whole body, multi-organ approach significantly broadens the relevance of this volume to toxicologists. Following an introductory section on the types of endocrine toxicity including primary, secondary and indirect mechanisms, the next section deals with endocrine organs as toxicological targets. International contributions focus on the pituitary, thyroid and parathyroids, adrenals, testes, ovaries and the pancreas, and comparative endocrine carcinogenesis. A third section of the book develops the whole body approach, in which chapters are devoted to hormonal mechanisms of toxicity to the immune, nervous, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and reproductive systems, as well as to the liver, kidney and skin. The final section covers human and environmental health perspectives discussing endocrine disrupting chemicals, hormonal mechanisms in breast cancer and current regulatory trends in endocrine and hormonal toxicology. The comprehensive nature of Endocrine and Hormonal Toxicology makes it accessible to both specialist and general toxicologists, and to those within the fields of endocrinology, pharmacology and pathology.

The latest advances in cancer research include basic research and its derived diagnostic, clinical and therapeutic applications. The book New Trends in Cancer for the 21st Century is written by individuals such as: molecular biologists whose tasks are, after sequencing the human genome, to decipher those new genes and pathways involved in the carcinogenesis process; clinical and molecular pathologists, who apply these discoveries for the molecular diagnosis and characterization of the tumour; and clinical oncologists, who treat patients. Pharmacogenetics introduces new perspectives in the translational fields with the design of drugs against specific targets, which are in clinical trials phases in 2003. Several organizations such as the EORTC (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer) and the OECI (Organization of European Cancer Institutes) and comprehensive cancer centres play a crucial role in focusing cancer research on all these areas.

"The definitive reference for budding and experienced cancer epidemiologists alike." -American Journal of Epidemiology "Practitioners in epidemiology and oncology will find immense value in this." -JAMA Since its initial publication in 1982, CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTION has served as the premier reference work for students and professionals working to understand the causes and prevention of cancer in humans. Now revised for the first time in more than a decade, this fourth edition provides a comprehensive summary of the global patterns of cancer incidence and mortality, current understanding of the major causal determinants, and a rationale for preventive interventions. Special attention is paid to molecular epidemiologic approaches that address the wider role of genetic predisposition and gene-environment interactions in cancer etiology and pathogenesis. New and timely chapters on environmental and social-epidemiologic factors include: · The role of social class disparities · The role of obesity and physical inactivity · The potential effects of electromagnetic fields and radiofrequency radiation · The principles of cancer chemoprevention For both seasoned professionals and newer generations of students and researchers, this fourth edition of CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTION remains the authority in the field -- a work of distinction that every lab, library, student, professional, or researcher should have close at hand.

"The definitive reference for budding and experienced cancer epidemiologists alike." -American Journal of Epidemiology "Practitioners in epidemiology and oncology will find immense value in this." -JAMA Since its initial publication in 1982, CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTION has served as the premier reference work for students and professionals working to understand the causes and prevention of cancer in humans. Now revised for the first time in more than a decade, this fourth edition provides a comprehensive summary of the global patterns of cancer incidence and mortality, current understanding of the major causal determinants, and a rationale for preventive interventions. Special attention is paid to molecular epidemiologic approaches that address the wider role of genetic predisposition and gene-environment interactions in cancer etiology and pathogenesis. New and timely chapters on environmental and social-epidemiologic factors include: - The role of social class disparities - The role of obesity and physical inactivity - The potential effects of electromagnetic fields and radiofrequency radiation - The principles of cancer chemoprevention For both seasoned professionals and newer generations of students and researchers, this fourth edition of CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTION remains the authority in the field -- a work of distinction that every lab, library, student, professional, or researcher should have close at hand.

Protooncogenes and Growth Factors in Steroid Hormone Induced Growth and Differentiation reviews current information regarding the complex nature of hormone-induced cell growth and differentiation. The contributors examine the emerging consensus that protooncogenes and growth factors mediate perhaps the most crucial steps leading to cell growth and differentiation. The primary objective of this book is to unite the status of current research related to protooncogenes and growth factors from diverse physiological systems to help readers gain a comprehensive understanding of the subject. Leading researchers have contributed outstanding chapters pertaining to steroid hormone-regulated cell growth and differentiation in normal and/or neoplastic tissues. This book will appeal to basic science researchers, clinicians, industrial researchers, and graduate students.

Featuring contributions from expert authors of international standing, this book explores emerging studies on the success and/or failure of chemotherapy in breast cancer. Covers the clinical resistance of breast cancer to treatment; chemo-hormonal reactions; anti-hormonal resistance; multidrug resistance; and fu/antimetabolites. For cancer and hormonal researchers and development scientists in pharmaceuticals and biomedicine. Previously announced in 7/93 PTR Catalog.