Book dossier

Diet and Cancer

by Maryce M. Jacobs

This book represents the proceedings of the 5th annual conference of the American Institute for Cancer Research on Diet and Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms and Interactions. The purpose is to describe the advances in the molecular mechanisms involved in carcinogenesis, which are applied to the problems of the diet-cancer interaction. Such information is essential to progress in understanding the potential role of the diet in carcinogenesis. The book is specifically written for the researcher in the area of diet and cancer. However, it may also be useful reading for the specialist practitioner in oncology. The book is adequately illustrated for the presentation of research data. Charts, graphs, photographs, and black-and-white histological sections are appropriate. The index and table of contents are useful, particularly because the book is a rather eclectic collection of articles. This is a collection of papers selected for presentation at the conference. There is no attempt to cover the topic in a systematic and balanced manner. Chapters start with vitamin A and retinoids, continue with vitamin D and its metabolites, then to choline and fatty acids, folic acid and methylation, and then back to retinoic acid and fatty acids. Mediation of dietary effects by cytokines and growth factors is described in several chapters. Vitamin C and E and minerals are not presented in any detail. Hormonal mediation of dietary effects, e.g., in breast cancer is not covered. However, the chosen topics are covered in sufficient depth for the researcher. Although it is convenient to have a collection of related papers under one cover, the advantages over reading the papers in peer reviewed journals may notjustify the book in the minds of many investigators.