Cell Proliferation and Chemical Carcinogenesis: Conference Summary and Future Directions

Although it has been acknowledged for many years that cell proliferation is essential for carcinogenesis, this is the Elrst meeting to directly focus on its role in carcinogenesis in a comprehensive manner. Many of the critical issues were outlined by Dr. Melnick in his opening remarks. Of particular interest is what data can be brought to bear on the recent controversies regarding the role of cell proliferation in studies of nongenotoxic carcinogens tested at maximum tolerated doses (MTD), and can cell proliferation alone be a cause of cancer? The symposium talks and poster presentations have been comprehensive and highly illuminating. It is impossible to truly summarize such a meeting, but I will try to place some of the major issues