Skin Carcinogenesis In Man And In Experimental Models (recent Results In Cancer Research)

The detection of cancer risk factors and their possible avoid­ ance would most effectively contribute to the fight against cancer. Research in these areas depends to a substantial degree on in vivo experimental animal models and on epide­ miologic studies, including data from cancer registries. When the Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum was founded in 1964, its division "Mechanisms of Tumorigenesis" and a number of other divisions became engaged in research on chemical carcinogenesis of the skin, mainly using the mouse skin as an experimental model. Their interest orig­ inated in part from investigations of the new and at that time controversial pathogenic principle of conditional car­ cinogens as represented by certain tumor promoters which are per se noncarcinogenic. During the past 25 years, conditional carcinogens in terms of tumor promoters were established as anew, nonclassical category of cancer risk factors besides the classical solitary carcinogens. In the course of this exciting period, scientists of our center started cooperative programs with clinical dermato­ logists of the University of Heidelberg at the Clinics of Dermatology in Heidelberg and Mannheim, to extend the scope of their investigations into clinical oncology and to contribute by experimental approaches to solving problems in clinical oncology. This led to a gradual shift from mere animal studies to the more direct analyses of human tumors and opened up for us a new phase of research. Front Matter....Pages I-XVIII Genetic Determinants in Carcinogenesis....Pages 1-13 Transforming Growth Factor Regulation of Keratinocyte Growth....Pages 15-29 Epithelial Stem Cells, Hair Follicles, and Tumor Formation....Pages 31-43 The Skin: Initiation and Target Site of Immune Responses....Pages 45-57 Melanocyte Carcinogenesis: Facts and Fancies....Pages 59-67 The German Melanoma Registry and Environmental Risk Factors Implied....Pages 69-89 Fair Complexion and Risk of Malignant Melanoma of the Skin Based on Experience from the Danish Cancer Registry....Pages 91-100 Dysplastic Nevi-Dysplastic Nevus Syndromes: Clinical Features and Genetic Aspects....Pages 101-118 Integrins and Melanoma Progression....Pages 119-132 Growth Regulation in Normal and Malignant Melanocytes....Pages 133-150 Keratinocyte Carcinogenesis: Introduction....Pages 151-152 Diversity of Epithelial Skin Tumors: Thoughts and Comments on Some Basic Principles....Pages 153-178 Keratinocyte Alterations in Skin Tumour Development....Pages 179-191 Cellular and Molecular Changes During Mouse Skin Tumor Progression....Pages 193-204 Influence of Aging and Malignant Transformation on Keratinocyte Gene Expression....Pages 205-214 Molecular Mechanisms of Skin Carcinogenesis Induced by Chemicals and Ionizing Radiation....Pages 215-230 Threshold-like Dose Response of Mouse Skin Cancer Induction by Repeated Beta Irradiation and its Relevance to Radiation-Induced Human Skin Cancer....Pages 231-241 Environmental Risk Factors for Skin Cancer....Pages 243-262 Ultraviolet Carcinogenesis: Environmental Effects of Ozone Depletion....Pages 263-267 Experimental Ultraviolet Carcinogenesis....Pages 269-274 Xeroderma Pigmentosum Patients from Germany (the Mannheim XP Collection): Clinical and Biochemical Characteristics....Pages 275-297 The In Vitro Analysis of Biochemical Changes Relevant to Skin Carcinogenesis....Pages 299-308 Positive and Negative Growth Control in Multistage Skin Carcinogenesis....Pages 309-321 The Role of Endogenous Factors in Skin Carcinogenesis....Pages 323-337 In Vitro Transformation and Tumor Progression....Pages 339-350 Human Papillomaviruses and Cancer....Pages 351-352 Skin Carcinogenesis: A Health Problem Meets with a Scientific Challenge Concluding Remarks and Future Prospects....Pages 353-358 Back Matter....Pages 359-364 This book presents an updated overview of the current state of the art in scientific, experimental and clinical investigations on the generation and the prevention of cancer of the skin. From the achievements presented, marked refinements in the assessment of the risk of cancer, by environmental and endogenous factors, including tumor virus, will be stimulated. They include the problem of the stratospheric `ozone holes` above both poles of the earth causing much public concern as expressed by current headlines in the media and by the United Nations Environmental Program. Moreover, new ideas will merge for developing specific approaches to explore the mechanistic, i.e. ultimately the molecular-biological, causesof skin cancers and others. In addition, the experimental utilization ofoncogens and of other techniques of molecular biology at all levels of the biology of tissues and cells, may open up entirely new facets in the research on skin cancer. Detailed knowledge of the mechanistic aspects of skin carcinogenesis may give important hints with respect to `tailor-make`and utilize new anti-tumor agents in the therapy of skincancer for the benefit of the cancer patient