Abstract 869: The IARC Monographs Vol. 100. A critical review and update on human carcinogens
Authors: Kurt Straif , Baan Robert , Grosse Yann , Secretan Beatrice , Ghissassi Fatiha El , Bouvard Veronique , Benbrahim-Tallaa Lamia , Guha Neela , Freeman Crystal , Galichet Laurent , Cogliano Vincent 
Published: February 2011

The IARC Monographs have been published continuously since 1971. For the 100th Vol. of the programme the evidence on all human carcinogens that have been identified to date has been updated.

147 experts from 28 countries contributed to the Vol. 100 series which was developed in six meetings from Oct 2008 to Oct 2009 (A. Pharmaceuticals, 23 agents; B. Biological agents, 11 agents; C. Metals, particles and fibres, 14 agents; D. Radiation, 14 agents; E. Lifestyle factors, 11 agents; F. Chemicals and related occupations, 34 agents). For each agent evaluations of the evidence in humans and in experimental animals and an overall evaluation of the human carcinogenicity have been developed and tumour sites with sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity as well as tumour sites that are strongly suspected and plausible mechanisms have been identified.

All Group 1 carcinogens have been re-affirmed, several new Group 1 carcinogens and additional tumour sites for Group 1 carcinogens have been identified. Cancers of the colon, rectum and ovaries (mucinous type) have been added to the long list of tobacco smoking-related cancers, and parental smoking causes hepatoblastoma in the offspring and probably childhood leukemia. Acetaldehyde associated with alcohol consumption is carcinogenic to humans and causes cancers of the oesophagus, and head and neck. Based on sufficient evidence in humans for cutaneous and ocular melanoma, use of UV emitting tanning devices is now classified as “carcinogenic to humans”. In addition to lung cancer and mesothelioma, asbestos has now been linked with cancers of the larynx and ovaries, and leather dust has been identified as causing cancers of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. There is now sufficient epidemiological evidence for TCDD exposure and all cancers combined, making TCDD the first agent classified initially in Group 1 based on sufficient animal data and mechanisms, to be later confirmed by increased cancer incidence in humans. Like TCDD, 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlordibenzofuran and 3,3’,4,4’, 5-pentachlorobiphenyl are complete carcinogens in experimental animals, and there is extensive evidence that they act through the same AhR-mediated mechanism. The Working Group classified these two chemicals in Group 1. The Working Group unanimously reaffirmed the classification of formaldehyde in Group 1, based on sufficient evidence in humans of nasopharyngeal cancer and concluded that, overall, there is sufficient evidence for leukaemia, particularly myeloid leukaemia.

The re-affirmation of all group 1 carcinogens underlines the robust procedures and criteria for human carcinogen identification employed in the IARC Monographs Programme. Two additional Working Groups will be convened to develop scientific publications that build on the data that have been summarized in Volume 100: 1) Tumour-site concordance between humans and experimental animals; 2) Mechanisms involved in human carcinogenesis.

Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 869.