Journal of Carcinogenesis & Mutagenesis

Abstract

Cellular Senescence as a Barrier to Environmental Carcinogenesis

Maria del Mar Vergel and Amancio Carnero

The first cellular response to a carcinogen is a cell cycle arrest program that may end in a permanent arrest with
features of cellular senescence. This may be an evolutionary conserved response to delay environmental-induced
cancer until the replicative life of the organism has ended. With the concomitant alteration of genes involved in
cellular senescence, which promotes cellular immortalization, a further carcinogenic insult may increase the chances
of tumorigenesis and the development of a malignant clone. Therefore, understanding cellular senescence and how it
can be modified by environmental carcinogens, including food, may be essential for controlling the increase of cancer
prevalence.