Co-carcinogen
Co-carcinogen
Co-carcinogen (pronunciation: ko-kar-sin-o-jen) is a term used in oncology to describe a substance or agent that, while not necessarily carcinogenic on its own, can enhance the effect of a carcinogen when present together.
Etymology
The term "co-carcinogen" is derived from the prefix "co-", meaning "together", and "carcinogen", a term for substances that can cause cancer. Thus, a co-carcinogen is something that works together with a carcinogen to promote cancerous growth.
Definition
A co-carcinogen is a chemical or biological agent that does not cause cancer by itself but can enhance the carcinogenic effect of another substance. Co-carcinogens can increase the effectiveness of carcinogens by various mechanisms, such as altering the way the body metabolizes the carcinogen, or by damaging DNA in a way that makes it more susceptible to the effects of the carcinogen.
Related Terms
- Carcinogen: A substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue.
- Promoter (biology): In the context of carcinogenesis, a promoter is a substance that promotes the development of cancer, often by stimulating cell division. Some co-carcinogens are also promoters.
- Mutagen: An agent, such as radiation or a chemical substance, that causes genetic mutation.
- Oncology: The study and treatment of tumors.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Co-carcinogen
- Wikipedia's article - Co-carcinogen
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