BOOK
REVIEWS
Chemical Carcinogenerir
David B. Clayson, University of Leeds, England. Little, Brown, and Co., 467 pp. Figs. Boston, 1962. viii and tables. 16 X 24 em. $15.
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There has long been a great need for a current and authoritative volume on chemical carcinogenesia. One must look hack two decedes to Wolfe's "Chemical Induction of Cancer" for s. book with the scope of Clayson's. The published literature during this interval has been extensive, and Dr. Clayson's credentials for this effort me amply evident throughout the text by the consistent skill and mature judgment he has displayed in the selection and discussion of the more significant eontrihution of workers in t h i area of cancer research. In a volume of manageable size, the author reviews published data and effectively relates them to pertinent concepts in chemical carcinogenesia and, where significant, describes the historical developments of concepts. Liberal use is made of charts, tables, andgraphs throughout, and of particular value is the consistent use of structural formulas to demonstrate relationships between individual chemical carcinogens and their metabolites. The introduction is devoted to a brief description of the three main classes of carcinogens. The organieation of the remainder of the hook permits the author to proceed in a logical and cohesive fashion. In the opening chapter which is devoted to environmental cancer in
-Reviewed
in this Issue
Dorid B. Clayson, Chemical caroinaaenesis Ralph E. Alaton amd B. L. Turner. Bioohemiea1 systematics P o d Lsuraons. . . editor. Lectures in hlaterials Science F . Albmt Cotton. Chemical Amlieations of Group Theory R a b h Hultgicn, et ol, Selected Values of Thermodynsmia Properties of Metals and ~
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E. A. L y n t a . Supereonduotivity A. C . OaL,d0n and I . R. H d s , The Shook Tube in Hiah-Tem~erature Chemical Phyeies A. R . Kot7it.k~.Physical Methods in Heterccyclic Chemistry. Vdumes 1 arnd 2 cmelin Inatilwfc. Gmelins Handbuoh der Anorganisohen Chemie, 8. Auflape, System Nummer 52. Chromium, Teil 13 Cmdin Indifula, Gmelins Haodbuob der Anorsaniseben Chemie. 8. AuRage. System Nummer 34, Queoksilber. Teil A. Lieferung 2 Cmdin In8tilute, Omelins Hsndbuoh der Anorganisohen Chemie, 8. Auflage, System Nummer 52, Teil A, Lieferung 2 Haher1 H. Uhlig, Corrosion and Cormsion Control H. Sowislowalii and W . Smith, Msas Transfer Process Caloulstiona L i m a Pading and Somud aDudsmit. The Structure of Line Spectra R O ~ G IW. ~ atrmcy, bns in solution Ranold W . O%rney.Ionic Proosssesin Soiution
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man, this problem is discussed from both an environmental as well as host point of view. The next several chapters are devoted to experimental design and st* tistical evaluation of data. Limitations imposed by choice of species, dose, and mode of administration of carcinogens as well as the effect of vehicles are diseuased with sophistication. Cancer induction by radioelements and by macromolecular substances are examples of the use of speei6c agents cited to illustrrute ~rohlemsresulting from unique physical and/or chemical properties of known or suspected carcinogenic agents. The third p a t of the hook deals with specific classes of compounds implicated in the causation of cancer. Bioassay data are interpreted in light of fundamental pharmaeolagicsl, biochemical, and pathological considerations. The complex role of hormonal agents is described in two chapters in terms of their awn intrinnic carcinogenicity as well as their modifying effect on the response to exogenous chemical carcinogens. The organization of the index reveals the same care observed in the text. The specific index of chemical compounds should he mast helpful to persons seeking immediate information independent of the fundamental aspects of some of the experimental data. The references after each chapter, though not encyclopedic, are adequate and current, including many articles published in 1962. A few minor deficiencies merit note: The author defines sarcoma on page 4 as tumors arising from connective tissue c e b
Journal o f Chemical Education
C . T . Mortirnm, Reaction Hsatri and Bond Strengths Nicholoa D. Cheronia and John B. Enfrikin, Identification of Organio Compounds: A Student's Text Using 6emimicro Teohniques McC7ath. Siddoll and Thring, editors. Ad"BnOeS in Magnetohydrodynamioa Mronowski, Studcboker and Wulkcr, editors. Proneedings of the Fifth Conference on Carbon. volume 1 William Thailheimm, Synthetic Msthoda of Orasnio Chemistry Yearbook. 1063 Volume 17 John J . McKetlo, JT.,editor, Advances in Petroleum Chemistry and Refininp. Volume 7 M i c h d Ladmar, editor, Chromatomaphio Reviewe, Volume 5 F. Albnl Cotton, editor, Progress in Inorganic Chemiatry, Volume 5 C m o a y Pincue, editor. Recent Progress in Hormone Research. Volume 19 J . P . Phillip* and F. C . Nuhod, editors. Organic Electronic Spectral Dsts, Volume 4 (1058-591 Ernest E. Comwipnc and Walter H. Kortung. editors. Medicinal Chemistry, Volume 6 R. W . Beor, editor. Canadian Cancer Conferenoe, Volume 5. Proceedings of the Fifth Cmmdian Cancer Rasearch Canferenoe. Honey Harbour. Ontario. June. 1962 A~thurC . cope, editor-in-~hief.organic R ~ W tiona, Volume 13
rather than from all mesenchymal tissue The balanced approach to virtually all areas in chemical eacinogenesis is notably absent in the amount of space devoted to a discussion of the role of ortho-hydroxy derivatives of aromatic amines. The reviewer recommends this book as B well-written, unemotional presentation of the field of careinogenesis, coming a t an appropriate time considering the furor over such recent events as aminotriazole, indiscriminate pesticide use, and the continuing discussion of the role of cigaretb smoking and polluted air in the increase of lung cancer. The hook can be highly recommended to toxicologists, chemists, pharmacologists, as well as physicians with occupational health resoonsibilitv. It will find a nrominent place on the shelves of cancer research workers. Undergraduate students will find the book helpful, even with their limitstions in biology and chemistry. Interested graduate students will find the hook a rich source of authoritative information. The vacuum this hook helps fLU would make it useful were it leas well written. Considering its excellence, it merits emphatic recommendstion.
P n a KOTIN National Camrlmlitute Bethesda, Maryland
Ralph E. Abton and B. L. T u r n , both of the University of Texss, Austin. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, 404 pp. New Jersey, 1963. xii Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $9.95.
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"Systematics" in the title of this book is synonymous with taxonomy, and the biochemistry is the biochemistry of plants. Accordingly, this volume is a survey of the possibilities of classifying plants according to their chemical composition. Modern titxonomical schemes are ideally based upon phylogeny, which is in turn the result of genetic selection, and since the genetic character of an organism is reflected in its metabolism and chemical composition, it should theoretically be possible to classify organisms according to their chemical composition. In practice, however, this is not so simple, for s number of reasons. In the first place, it requires much research to determine what chemical compounds sre specific for a given species, genus, or order. Many non-essential substances occur in same individuals, but not in others; this phenomenon has been termed "biochemical individuality" by Roger William, and renders the presence or absence of these substances useless for classification. In the second place, organisms often have genetic potentialities which may not be actually expressed. For example, s. piven plant may contain a substance or not, depending upon the conditions of temperature and moisture under which it is grown. Finally, "biochemical races" have often heenshown toexist; they differ in some biochemical way from the other members of the species to which they obviously belong.
