Derangements of Cellular Metabolism in The Pre-Malignant Syndrome

Summary

Carcinogenesis is a multi-stage process involving several independent genetic events. It has been proposed that initiation involves the generation of a clone of cells with raised mutation rate. Thus, the essential component of the pre-malignant syndrome (PMS) consists of an elevated intrinsic mutation rate. Alteration in the steady-state level of mutagenesis is the consequence of metabolic alterations in the cells, affecting either the rate of DNA damage and/or the rate of repair. These derangements of cellular metabolism may permit early detection of premalignant (initiated) cells. The biochemical abnormalities are considered in terms of oxyradical production and may lead to the development of screening techniques and suggest possibilities for cancer prevention based on antioxidant supplementation.