Occupational and Environmental Carcinogenesis

Dear Colleagues,

Carcinogenesis is a complex, multistep process, involving the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic alterations that confer growth and/or survival advantages, through which cells gradually achieve unchecked growth and eventually become fully malignant and invasive. There are numerous sources of physical, chemical, and biological exposures that stem from endogenous and exogenous sources—including occupational and environmental settings—that can induce such genetic and epigenetic alterations. This damage is repaired through a high-fidelity DNA repair process that operates through multiple pathways, although the system is imperfect and varies by repair mechanism, potentially resulting in the incorporation of DNA damage and epigenetic alterations.

Any substance that causes cancer is referred to as a carcinogen. If allowed to accumulate in the body for an extended period of time, there is a greater likelihood your cells will become damaged, which results in the growth of cancer cells.

Some of these changes in our cells may be caused by genetics, while others may be caused by environmental and occupational factors. Environmental and occupational factors can include a wide range of exposures, such as the following:

• Lifestyle factors (nutrition, tobacco use, physical activity)
• Natural occurring exposures (ultraviolet light, radon gas, infectious agents)
• Medical treatments (radiation and medicine)
• Workplace and household exposures
• Pollution
• Asbestos
• Formaldehyde
• Radon
• Wood dust

Furthermore, it is relevant to study the epidemiology of probable/possible carcinogens in order to clarify the real effects on health.

In conclusion, the objective of this Special Issue is to clarify aspects related to carcinogenesis and occupational and/or environmental exposure.
Therefore in silico, in vitro, ex vivo, epidemiological studies and reviews are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Caterina Ledda
Prof. Dr. Venerando Rapisarda
Collection Editors

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