Lifestyle factors and cancer of the pancreas: a hypothetical mechanism.
The interaction of a genetically determined protease inhibitor, the enzymes whose functions are modified by that inhibitor and lifestyle factors, such as cigarette smoking, high lipid diet and alcohol consumption, are considered key factors in a proposed protease-antiprotease imbalance mechanism for pancreatic oncogenesis. Epidemiologic and experimental laboratory evidence in support of the mechanism is presented along with a discussion of suggested research initiatives to further test the hypothesis.
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000209:etiology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications; D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D004285:Dogs; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008019:Life Style; D008954:Models, Biological; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000150:complications; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D012907:Smoking; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000378:metabolism
D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases