title: P450 and human cancer.
abstract: Most of the chemical carcinogens in our environment are activated mainly by a restricted number of cytochrome P450 species, P450 1A1, 1A2, 2E1, and 3A. This metabolic activation of procarcinogens is a crucial part of the initial host response to the environmental exposure, since most chemical carcinogens do not show any carcinogenicity by themselves. Inter-individual variability in the metabolic activity may thus be a key host factor to explain the differences in susceptibility to chemical carcinogenesis among individuals. Recent studies on P450s in cancer etiology have provided some valuable insights into this problem.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Saitama Cancer Center Research Institute.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kawajiri
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fujii-Kuriyama
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001711:Biotransformation / Q000235:genetics; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D007527:Isoenzymes; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System