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Biomarkers in Metabolic Subtyping — Relevance for Environmental Cancer Control

  • Conference paper
Diversification in Toxicology — Man and Environment

Part of the book series: Archives of Toxicology ((TOXICOLOGY,volume 20))

Abstract

People differ in their susceptibility to particular cancers and in their sensitivity to certain carcinogens. Differences in sensitivity to environmental carcinogens are determined by variations in genetic background — genetic polymorphism. Susceptibility or sensitivity factors can act at any stage in the multistage process of carcinogenesis, from exposure to carcinogens to the clinical appearance of cancer. This paper addresses the use and limitations of studies on human polymorphism for carcinogen metabolizing enzymes and their relevance for cancer control. The practical use of susceptibility and sensitivity markers in cancer control is not yet clear. Some of the potential dangers of their use are job discrimination and genetic exculpation — the ‘blame the victim’ attitude. Furthermore, an imprudent focus on genetic predisposition could shift the attention from carcinogens in the environment to biological ‘defects’ in the individual. Although carcinogens act in predisposed subjects, this should not overshadow the fact that most cancers are due to environmental factors, in both susceptible and unsusceptible individuals, and are therefore preventable. Even if individuals differ in their sensitivity to carcinogens, the primary option in cancer control must be to reduce exposure in order to include and protect the most sensitive fraction of the population.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Agency for Research on Cancer, 150 cours Albert Thomas, F-69372, Lyon, France

    Harri Vainio

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  1. Harri Vainio
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Intercantonal Office for the Control of Medicines(IOCM), Erlachstrasse 8, CH-3000, Bern 9, Switzerland

    Jürg P. Seiler

  2. Krathusvej 2A, DK-8240, Risskov, Denmark

    Judith L. Autrup

  3. Steno Institute of Public Health, University of Åarhus, Universitetsparken, Bldg. 180, DK-8000, Åarhus C, Denmark

    Herman Autrup

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© 1998 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Vainio, H. (1998). Biomarkers in Metabolic Subtyping — Relevance for Environmental Cancer Control. In: Seiler, J.P., Autrup, J.L., Autrup, H. (eds) Diversification in Toxicology — Man and Environment. Archives of Toxicology, vol 20. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-46856-8_27

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-46856-8_27

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-46858-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-46856-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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