Third International Conference on Mechanisms of Antimutagenesis and Anticarcinogenesis.

This conference, attended by scientists from 27 countries, focused on the most recent advances in the field of antimutagenesis and anticarcinogenesis. Particular emphasis was given to the mechanistic approach, which is believed to be an essential prerequisite for a safer and more effective implementation of chemoprevention of cancer and of mutation-related diseases. The arrangement of the six regular sessions basically followed and updated the detailed classification of mechanisms of inhibitors of mutagenesis and carcinogenesis proposed by S. De Flora and C. Ramel (Mutat. Res., 202: 285-306, 1988), covering both extracellular and cellular mechanisms involved in the prevention of mutations and cancer initiation, as well as in the modulation of later stages of the carcinogenesis process. In addition, a workshop was devoted to methodological aspects concerning the modulation of the genotoxic and carcinogenic response. The present report covers the main themes of overview lectures or research communications presented by more than 60 speakers. Most presentations were multi-authored, as the result of collaborative studies, in several cases at the international level, but only the names of speakers will be given.