Differences in metabolism of chemical carcinogens in cultured human epithelial tissues and cells.

The metabolism of chemical carcinogens has been studied in cultured human bronchus, colon, duodenum, pancreatic duct, and esophagus. Metabolite patterns and carcinogen-DNA adducts are generally qualitatively similar among animal species, individuals within a species, and tissues within an individual. However, wide quantitative differences are observed between individuals in outbred animal species, including humans. These interindividual differences in amounts of carcinogen-DNA adducts and in activities of enzymes that are important in the metabolism of chemical carcinogens are similar in magnitude (10-to 150-fold) to those observed in pharmacogenetic studies of drug metabolism. The role of these differences as risk factors in human cancer is being investigated.