title: Molecular mechanisms of alcohol-mediated carcinogenesis.
abstract: Approximately 3.6% of cancers worldwide derive from chronic alcohol drinking, including those of the upper aerodigestive tract, the liver, the colorectum and the breast. Although the mechanisms for alcohol-associated carcinogenesis are not completely understood, most recent research has focused on acetaldehyde, the first and most toxic ethanol metabolite, as a cancer-causing agent. Ethanol may also stimulate carcinogenesis by inhibiting DNA methylation and by interacting with retinoid metabolism. Alcohol-related carcinogenesis may interact with other factors such as smoking, diet and comorbidities, and depends on genetic susceptibility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Laboratory of Alcohol Research, Liver Disease and Nutrition, Salem Medical Centre, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. helmut_karl.seitz@urz.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Helmut K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Seitz
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stickel
mesh_terms: D000079:Acetaldehyde / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D019175:DNA Methylation; D000431:Ethanol / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D000431:Ethanol; D000079:Acetaldehyde