About this Research Topic
Alcohol consumption is among the top 10 risks contributing to the worldwide burden of disease, including cancer. Epidemiological studies strongly support the association between alcohol consumption and cancer risks at several anatomical sites, among which cancers of the digestive system are among the most common. Reports from IARC and the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) suggest that alcohol consumption is causally associated with increased risks of the upper and lower (colorectum) digestive tract, liver, and pancreatic cancer. Given that the cancers of the digestive tract are the most common causes of cancer and cancer-related mortality worldwide, the impact of alcohol consumption on the economic burden from cancer is estimated to be remarkable.
Several mechanisms have been proposed to mediate the alcohol’s effects; Direct cellular and DNA damage could occur from alcohol’s metabolism and the associated oxidative stress as well as from intermediately metabolites of alcohol (i.e., acetaldehyde). The indirect effect of alcohol through immune dysregulation, epigenetics, angiogenesis, and hormonal effects could further promote cancer formation. However, the contribution of each of the alcohol-associated dysregulated pathways on the neoplastic transformation is dependent on context, dose, and tissue. A better understanding of the mechanisms through which alcohol promotes cancer could help us identify targets to prevent and possibly treat cancers associated with alcohol consumption.
This Research Topic will include Original Research and Review Articles that focus on, but are not limited to, the following:
1) Clinical and epidemiological data as well as novel mechanistic links between alcohol and cancers of the digestive system
2) Studies that test the role of patterns of drinking (heavy, social, and binge drinking) or type of alcohol beverages
3) Interaction of alcohol with genetic or environmental factors in promoting cancer formation in the digestive system
Several mechanisms have been proposed to mediate the alcohol’s effects; Direct cellular and DNA damage could occur from alcohol’s metabolism and the associated oxidative stress as well as from intermediately metabolites of alcohol (i.e., acetaldehyde). The indirect effect of alcohol through immune dysregulation, epigenetics, angiogenesis, and hormonal effects could further promote cancer formation. However, the contribution of each of the alcohol-associated dysregulated pathways on the neoplastic transformation is dependent on context, dose, and tissue. A better understanding of the mechanisms through which alcohol promotes cancer could help us identify targets to prevent and possibly treat cancers associated with alcohol consumption.
This Research Topic will include Original Research and Review Articles that focus on, but are not limited to, the following:
1) Clinical and epidemiological data as well as novel mechanistic links between alcohol and cancers of the digestive system
2) Studies that test the role of patterns of drinking (heavy, social, and binge drinking) or type of alcohol beverages
3) Interaction of alcohol with genetic or environmental factors in promoting cancer formation in the digestive system
Keywords: Alcohol, Gastrointestinal, Cancers, digestive system, lifestyle
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