Cell Transformation Systems and Radiation Induced Cancer

The transformation of mammalian cells "in vitro" provides quantitative and qualitative information on the processes by which physical and chemical agents induce malignancy. Radiation induced cancer is a major concern in radiological protection and cell transformation systems offer a complementary research pathway to epidemiological studies of exposed human populations and to animal experiments. Results from cell transformation research can provide information about the shape of dose-effect relationships, the role of dose rate and radiation quality, and the modifying effect of agents present during and after radiation exposure. Data can be obtained on initiation and promotion in the cancer proces. In 1985 a workshop was organised on `Cell Transformation in Radiobiology' which reviewed the then existing data on radiation-induced cell transformation but the proceedings were, unfortunately, never published. Since then considerable progress has been made especially on the development of new cell transformation systems more relevant to human cancer and on the role of genetic factors, such as oncogenes and surpressor or anti-onco genes in cancer. In addition much more information is available on the effect of dose, dose rate, radiation quality and modifying factors on the frequency of transformation in the more `classical' cell transformation systems. The Radiation Protection Programme of DGXII of the Commission of the European Communities, the Office for Health and Environmental Research of the United States Department of Energy and the Nuclear Energy Board of Ireland organised a workshop on `Cell Transformation Systems Relevant to Radiation-Induced Cancer in Man' in Dublin from 4-7 April 1989 to provide a review of the current research and to encourage collaborative interactions between scientists working in the field. This book presents the proceedings of that workshop which should be of interest to cell biologists, oncologists, radiobiologists, biophysicists, cytologists, chemical toxicologists as well as others concerned with the scientific background to radiation-induced cancer.