Multistage Carcinogenesis: The Twenty-Second International Symposium of the Princess Takamatsu Cancer Research Fund

The Twenty-Second International Symposium of the Prin cess Takamatsu Cancer Research Fund on the topic "Multi stage Carcinogenesis" was held in Tokyo. Japan, on November 19-21, 1991. The opening address was given by H. I. H. Prin cess Kikuko Takamatsu who welcomed and encouraged the invited participants to pursue a joint strategy of basic research and clinical research for cancer prevention and therapy. This sound strategy was reflected in the high quality content of the symposium including the vigorous discussion among all of the participants. In his introductory remarks. Dr. T. Sugimura (Na tional Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan) dis cussed the impact of the concept of multistage Carcinogenesis on cancer clinics and prevention and control programs. He emphasized both the value of cancer prevention in light of new second malignancies occurring in patients cured of their initial cancers and the multiple aspects of Carcinogenesis including the importance of inherited predisposition of cancer. The epidemiolÃ3gica!, clinical, and laboratory evidence sup porting the multistage nature of Carcinogenesis was presented by Dr. C. Harris (National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD) in the keynote address. The recent identification of the multiple oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes involved in carcinogenesis is leading to a better understanding of the molecular mech anisms of Carcinogenesis and providing molecular targets for the development of innovative therapy. The analysis of mutational spectra of these cancer-related genes, e.g.,p53 and Ki-ras, also suggests molecular linkage between environmental carcin ogens and Carcinogenesis.