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David A. Neumann,¹ Thomas M. Crisp,² and Stephen S. Olin¹

¹ILSI Risk Science Institute, Washington, DC 20036-4810 USA; ²National Center for Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC 20460 USA

Abstract

Determining how findings of chemically induced carcinogenic effects in rodents can properly be interpreted for human health poses a continuing challenge to the risk assessment community. One approach begins by comparing and contrasting carcinogenic processes in rodents and humans, identifying biologically significant similarities and differences and gaps in scientific knowledge and understanding. Russo and Russo (in this issue) use just such an approach to evaluate the current state of scientific understanding of the comparative mechanisms of mammary tumorigenesis in humans and rodents, particularly the role of reproductive hormones. This commentary describes the basis for this review and suggests some of the implications the report may have for human health risk assessment and for future research. Key words: breast cancer, chemical carcinogens, estrogen, hormones, interspecies extrapolation, mammary tumors, risk assessment, rodent bioassay. Environ Health Perspect 104:912-914 (1996)

Address correspondence to D.A. Neumann, ILSI Risk Science Institute, 1126 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036-4810 USA.

This work was supported in part by a cooperative agreement between the ILSI Risk Science Institute and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticide Programs, No. X-819080-01-6. The views expressed in this commentary are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (NCEA-W-0082) or those of the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) or the ILSI Risk Science Institute.

Received 4 April 1996 ; accepted 29 June 1996