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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Challenge to international agencies.

International health agencies face major changes requiring basic adjustments in approaches and values. The ethical issues include moral criteria for allocating scarce resources, relation of health to population growth and development, iatrogenic social consequences of health measures, and inappropriate transfer of technology. A proposed new style of international health work is summarized in five principles and ten guidelines. The principles are: development from below; a role shift from adviser collaborator; sequential research, demonstration, and implementation; concentration on problems of motivation; and parternship in approaches to mutually shared complex problems.

Developing Countries↗

Cell proliferation and carcinogenesis: a brief history and current view based on an IARC workshop report. International Agency for Research on Cancer.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer recently convened a Working Group of Experts (June 11-18, 1991) to discuss the use of information on carcinogenesis mechanisms in carcinogenic risk identification. The role of cell proliferation in carcinogenesis was among the items discussed in detail. It was recognized that cell proliferation is an important mechanistic aspect for both genotoxic and nongenotoxic carcinogens. It may act at each stage of the carcinogenesis process, altering the size of the pool of cells at risk for a next event. Cell proliferation was considered to be important, especially as a) an integral part of the process of converting DNA adducts to mutation, b) an enhancing factor for the mutation frequency by inducing errors in replication, and c) an important factor in determining dose-response relationships for some carcinogens. It was also recognized that not all agents that induce cell proliferation are necessarily involved in carcinogenesis; for example, a) not all skin hyperplasia-inducing compounds are skin tumor promoters, b) agents that induce "regenerative" cell proliferation appear to have different effects on tumor induction from agents that have a direct mitogenic effect, and c) the carcinogenic activity of many nonmutagenic agents depends on the continuous administration of the agent. In addition, tissues with a high rate of cell proliferation do not have a higher risk of developing cancer. Thus, no simple relationship exists between cell proliferation and carcinogenesis.

Animals↗

Combating hidden hunger: the role of international agencies.

The importance of micronutrient deficiencies or "hidden hunger" was clearly emphasized by the inclusion of specific goals on iron, vitamin A, and iodine deficiency at the 1990 World Summit for Children and other major international nutrition conferences. Significant progress has since been made toward eliminating vitamin A and iodine deficiencies, with less progress made toward reducing the burden of iron-deficiency anemia. The role of international agencies, such as the World Health Organization, United Nations Children's Fund, Food and Agricultural Organization, and World Bank in assisting countries to make progress toward the World Summit for Children goals has been very important. International agencies have played a critical role in advocating for and raising awareness of these issues at the international, regional, and national levels among policymakers and the general population. Using a rights-based approach, UNICEF and other agencies have been instrumental in elevating to the highest political level the discussion of every child's right to adequate nutrition. International agencies have also been very supportive at the national level in providing technical guidance for programs, including monitoring and evaluation. These agencies have played a critical role in engaging the cooperation of other partners, including bilateral donors, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector for micronutrient programs. Furthermore, international agencies provide financial and material support for micronutrient programs. In the future, such agencies must continue to be heavily involved in programs to achieve the newly confirmed goals for 2010. The present paper focuses on the role of international agencies in combating micronutrient deficiencies, drawing on the lessons learned over the last decade. The first section of the paper summarizes the progress achieved since 1990, and the second section describes the specific role of international agencies in contributing to that progress.

Anemia, Iron-Deficiency↗

[Projects of the international agency for the prevention of blindness (author's transl)].

The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) had a meeting in Bethesda, in which the author took part as the chairman of the glaucoma prevention committee. Priority was given to the 6 causes of preventable blindness. These are onchocercosis, trachoma, keratomalacia, cataract, glaucoma and injuries. Projects for prevention of blindness were discussed. In developing countries eye care can reach the population only by mobile units with an eye specialist and allied personnel. The training of such health personnel in 3 different levels and the curriculum for each level was also discussed.

Allied Health Personnel↗

Evaluation of the carcinogenicity of chemicals: a review of the Monograph Program of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (1971 to 1977).

In 1971 the International Agency for Research on Cancer initiated a program on the evaluation of the carcinogenic risk of chemicals to humans, which concentrated on the production of monographs on individual chemicals. A review of this ongoing program is presented here as a contribution to the discussion of primary prevention of cancer. A total of 368 chemicals were evaluated in the first 16 volumes of the International Agency for Research on Cancer monographs. For 26 chemicals (or industrial processes), a positive association between exposure and the occurrence of cancer in humans was observed. For 221 chemicals, some evidence of carcinogenicity was found in at least one species of experimental animals. However, no evaluation of the carcinogenic risk of these chemicals to humans was made, either because no epidemiological studies or case reports were available or because the results of available human studies were inconclusive. For the remaining 121 chemicals, the available data were inadequate for an evaluation of the presence or absence of a carcinogenic effect in experimental animals or humans. The criteria on which the carcinogenicity of chemicals to humans and/or experimental animals was assessed, from the initiation of this program in 1971 until 1977, have recently been revised and are briefly discussed.

Animals↗

Linking environmental cancer with occupational epidemiology research: the role of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

BACKGROUND: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) provides the most credible assessment of carcinogenicity for the scientific community. IARC Monographs also suggest areas where new laboratory and epidemiology research on cancer should be focused. REVIEW: This presentation examines two recent IARC reports on silica and coal dust (from 1997), and on occupational exposures to insecticide and pesticide applications (from 1991). RESULTS: From the Silica Monograph, the research implications suggest that laboratory and epidemiology studies would be useful focusing on mixtures of hazards where silica is a significant component of the respirable environment: in coal mining (which has an excess of gastric cancers) with variations in silica exposure; in uranium mining where there is silica dust plus radon decay products, in foundries and steel-making plants where silica exposure is common as are other carcinogenic hazards; in agriculture where dusty farming may be common, and comparisons are needed with other polymorphs of silica, including amorphous quartz. Additional studies of lymphatic, dermal, and gastrointestinal malignancies are needed to determine if the evidence of silicocarcinogenesis extends to these tumor sites. Finally, some fundamental studies of adsorptive capability of silica and resultant biologic activity, including biomarker studies, are needed. In the pesticide realm, there are many active ingredients that have been shown to be 2B (or possible) carcinogens based on animal studies (or other evidence). Industrial epidemiology studies of workers manufacturing or handling chemicals such as atrazine, chlordane, dichlorvos, 2,4-D, and DDT should be undertaken. Cancer epidemiology associations have been demonstrated for chemicals such as phenoxy acid herbicides, 2,4,5-T, lindane, methoxychlor, toxaphene, and several organophosphate insecticides for which laboratory studies are needed. CONCLUSIONS: IARC reviews offer many leads for future research and insightful protocols that can provide new leads for studying these common exposures under novel environmental conditions.

Animals↗

[The definitions and classifications of carcinogenesis, mutagenesis and teratogenesis used by national and international agencies and institutions].

Classifications of carcinogenesis, mutagenesis and teratogenesis used by the National Toxicological Advisory Committee in Italy (CCTN), the Commission of the European Communities (CEC), the Environmental Protection Agency in the USA (EPA), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and the National Toxicology Programme in the USA (NPT) are examined and commented on, with a synopsis of several allocations made by the above organizations. However, the authors consider it advisable to redefine the categories and create 5 groups of substances (designated C1 to C5), on the basis of given definitions, with the aim of rendering the allocations comparable. This procedure is used solely for carcinogenesis and excludes the NTP. From such comparison, good agreement was found between CCTN and EPA and between CCTN and CEC, whereas agreement between IARC and other organizations was poor.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

The role of international agencies in emerging infections.

Emergent and resurgent infections have no respect for national borders. Surveillance programmes, policies and practices, educational activities and control initiatives all require international leadership, multinational funding, and the ability to transcend national barriers if we are to prevent and control these infections. Society seems to expect us to organise ourselves to do this job well without building "impossible to maintain" barriers to the flow of people or goods. As a result, we must determine how international organisations, including United Nations agencies, international societies, and academic groups in universities, can work together with national organisations to achieve effective surveillance, ongoing education, important research and control initiatives to prevent infections from becoming an ever-increasing global threat to our security.

Drug Resistance, Microbial↗

Evaluation of cancer-preventive agents and strategies a new program at the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

About five years ago, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) initiated a new program, IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention, aimed at evaluating the evidence base for the cancer-preventive activity of various agents and strategies. To date (2001) 5 volumes have been published--1. Non-steroidalAnti-inflammatory Drugs, 2. Carotenoids, 3. Vitamin A, 4. Retinoids, and 5. Sunscreens--and volume 6 (Weight Control and Physical Activity) is in press. Future volumes will include evaluations of breast cancer screening (vol. 7) and fruits and vegetables (vol. 8).

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗

Carcinogenicity of trace elements with reference to evaluations made by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

The monograph program of the International Agency for Research of on Cancer has evaluated many trace elements for their carcinogenicity to humans. Five groups of compounds were considered human carcinogens: arsenic and arsenic compounds, beryllium and beryllium compounds, cadmium and cadmium compounds, hexavalent chromium compounds, and nickel compounds. Antimony trioxide, cobalt and cobalt compounds, lead and inorganic lead compounds, methylmercury compounds, and metallic nickel were considered possibly carcinogenic to humans. Antimony trisulfide, trivalent chromium compounds, metallic chromium, ferric oxide, organolead compounds, metallic mercury, inorganic mercury compounds, selenium and selenium compounds, and titanium dioxide were not classifiable. Trace elements studied to a limited extent include copper, manganese, tin, vanadium, and zinc. Among the problems are the lack of relevant data, the definition of active species, the extrapolation of the results of experimental studies to humans, the methodological problems of epidemiologic studies, and the possible anticarcinogenic activity of some trace elements.

Humans↗

Evaluation of the carcinogenic risks to humans associated with surgical implants and other foreign bodies - a report of an IARC Monographs Programme Meeting. International Agency for Research on Cancer.

A meeting was held within the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Programme on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans of surgical implants and other foreign bodies. This meeting report summarises the types of materials considered, their wear and degradation, their cancer epidemiology in both humans and other animals, the published experimental carcinogenicity data and selected data on their toxic, including genotoxic, effects. Evaluations resulting in a classification of Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans) were reached for: (1) polymeric implants prepared as thin smooth films [with the exception of poly(glycolic acid)]; (2) metallic implants prepared as thin smooth films; and (3) implanted foreign bodies consisting of metallic cobalt, metallic nickel and a particular alloy powder consisting of 66-67% nickel, 13-16% chromium and 7% iron. Group 3 classifications (not classifiable as to their carcinogenicity to humans) were made for: (1) organic polymeric materials as a group; (2) orthopaedic implants of complex composition and cardiac pacemakers; (3) silicone breast implants; (4) dental materials; and (5) ceramic implants.

Animals↗

The future role of international agencies in control of acute respiratory tract infections.

Achievements in the control of acute respiratory infection (ARI) owe much to international collaboration in research, education, and delivery of services. This article highlights some of the current activities of the many international agencies involved and summarizes thoughts on their future roles. Key recent scientific advances include better surveillance, new and improved vaccines, refinement of standard clinical management plans and behavioral change techniques, and demonstration of the effectiveness of their application. Agencies involved include the World Health Organization, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, national government agencies for overseas aid, many academic departments, and professional lung health associations. However, much remains to be done, especially in collaborative research, in the devising, implementing, and evaluating of health care delivery systems in low-income countries, and in mobilizing political will and resources. These are tasks beyond the capacity of any lone agency. Success will depend on how effectively we collaborate.

Acute Disease↗

[International agencies and the control of Hansen's disease in Brazil].

Main modes of international participation in hanseniasis control in Brazil, both public and private, are briefly described: public modes are established country to country or through Pan-american Health Organization; the others are essentially identified as "voluntary organizations". A descriptive assessment of this experience in Brazil follows. Considering our vast territory and a huge accumulated social debt, possible cooperative work is explored, adopting clear criteria (establishing priorities, planning and participative management), viewing basic actions as public attribuitions complemented by internacional organisms when necessary.

Brazil↗

International Agency for Research on Cancer fellowships programme-over 30 years of experience.

In 1966 the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) initiated a fellowship programme designed for young postdoctoral scientists from any country in the world who wish to receive training in another country in an area relevant to the aetiology and pathogenesis of cancer. Various disciplines are covered such as cellular and molecular biology, pathology, genetics and biochemistry, and particular attention is given to training in cancer epidemiology. A total of 471 fellowships have been awarded during the last 32 years, averaging 15 fellowships per year, and representing approximately one in four of the applications evaluated every year. Thirty-six percent of the total number of fellowships awarded have come from developing countries and eastern Europe. North America and western Europe are the regions preferentially selected by 98% of the fellows for training, with the USA (48%) and the UK (19%) remaining the most frequently selected countries for a host laboratory. Approximately 82-85% of fellows returned to their home countries and around 82% remain active in cancer research. A total of 101 fellowships have been awarded in epidemiology or biostatistics with the majority of IARC fellows in epidemiology originating from developing countries or developed countries in which the teaching of chronic diseases epidemiology is deficient. In addition, the IARC has received considerable input into its activities through its fellowship programme. The IARC fellowship programme is an effective tool in the provision of training in cancer research to young scientists worldwide, selected on the basis of scientific excellence and has made a substantial contribution to the development of cancer research in many countries.

Humans↗