Abstract
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is the cancer research agency of the World Health Organization. A permanent staff of 150 members in Lyon, France, coordinates IARC’s research activities and hosts approximately 600 visiting scientists and trainees annually from more than 50 countries.
The role of IARC among cancer research institutes is characterized by its focus on cancer prevention, by its emphasis on studies that combine epidemiological and laboratory approaches, and by the special forum and support it provides for international collaborations. IARC is not involved, as a rule, with research into cancer treatments. IARC’s work has 4 main objectives:
Monitoring global cancer occurrence. IARC is studying cancer incidence, mortality, and survival in numerous countries and has been active in setting up cancer registries worldwide.
Identifying the causes of cancer. Since IARC’s creation in 1965, there has been a strong emphasis on cancer etiology. In laboratory investigations, epidemiological studies, and in meetings of international groups of expert scientists, IARC has examined more than 900 agents with the aim of identifying those that cause cancer in humans.
Elucidation of mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Laboratory research concentrates on elucidating the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, with particular emphasis on carcinogen-induced, endogenous, and inherited mutations in transforming and tumour-suppressor genes. This knowledge not only gives insights into the biology of cancer, but also helps identify stages where it may be possible to intervene in the process to prevent progression to clinical disease.
Developing scientific strategies for cancer control. IARC’s programmes are aimed at finding approaches to preventing cancer. This includes both primary prevention and early detection of cancers.
Recently, IARC upgraded its web site, providing more information in an attractive, more user-friendly format. Links provide information about IARC’s mission and scientific structure, plus a number of topics of general interest.
Cancer information
IARC maintains several resources that are of use to cancer prevention programmes and cancer researchers worldwide. Among these are the findings of the IARC Monographs programme (described in more detail below), CANCERMondial (descriptive information on the occurrence of cancer worldwide), findings from the EPIC study (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition, a study of more than 500,000 people in 10 countries designed to investigate the relationships between diet, nutritional status, lifestyle, and environmental factors and the incidence of cancer and other chronic diseases), the TP53 Mutation Database (a list of TP53 gene mutations identified in human cancers and cell lines), information about cancer screening, and information about some international collaborations facilitated by IARC.
Fellowships
Since 1966, IARC has awarded more than 500 fellowships to junior scientists for research training in cancer. More than 80% return to their home country, and a similar percentage remain active in cancer research. The deadline for applications is in the fall of each year.
Training Courses
IARC offers training courses in cancer registration, in descriptive, analytical, and molecular cancer epidemiology, and in methods for analyzing the results of cancer studies. Special attention is given to encouraging students from countries where resources for the control of chronic diseases, cancer in particular, are limited. By helping to develop local expertise in cancer epidemiology and by strengthening research institutions through international collaborations, IARC aims to enhance cancer prevention. The deadline for applications is in the winter of each year.
Recent Publications, Scientific Papers, and Press Releases
IARC communicates its research findings through IARC scientific publications and papers in the scientific literature. Summaries of these findings and links to the published reports are available on the web site.
Vacancies
IARC seeks qualified candidates to fill vacancies on its scientific staff and general services staff. Positions may be either long-term or short-term in nature. Vacancies are filled in accordance with the staff rules of the World Health Organization.
The IARC Monographs
One of the IARC programmes of great interest is the IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. The IARC Monographs are a series of scientific reviews that identify environmental factors that can increase the risk of human cancer. Each Monograph includes a critical review of the pertinent scientific literature and an evaluation of the weight of the evidence that the agent can alter the risk of cancer in humans. National and international health agencies use the Monographs as a source of information on potential carcinogens and as scientific support to guide their actions to prevent exposure to potential carcinogens.
The IARC Monographs have been called “WHO’s Encyclopaedia of Carcinogens” because they have moved beyond an initial focus on chemicals to include complex mixtures, occupational exposures, physical and biological agents, lifestyle factors, and other agents suspected of being carcinogenic. More than 900 agents have been evaluated since 1971, and more than 400 have been identified as carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic to humans. An international, interdisciplinary Working Group of expert scientists develops each Monograph. Since 1971, more than 1,000 scientists from 50 countries have contributed to developing the IARC Monographs.
The new IARC web site provides detailed information about the IARC Monographs. The address of the Monographs programme web site is 〈http://monographs.iarc.fr〉. There you will find the following information:
Information about Future Meetings
The topics and dates of meetings scheduled for the next year are listed. For each, there will be a call for data, a call for experts, and a request for Observer status. Approximately 2 months before each meeting, a list of meeting participants is also posted.
Results of Recent Monograph Meetings and Advisory Group Meetings
Summaries and evaluations of all Monographs are freely available in electronic form. Results of new Monograph meetings are generally posted within a few weeks after the meeting.
Preamble
The Preamble describes the objective and scope of the programme, the scientific principles and procedures used in developing a Monograph, the types of evidence considered, and the scientific criteria that guide the evaluations. During 2005 the Preamble was amended, with the participation of the scientific community. Details of this process are also available on the web site.
List of Agents Evaluated
The Monographs programme website includes lists of agents that have been evaluated and agents that have been identified as carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic to humans. For user convenience, a consolidated list of agents in alphabetical order has recently been added.
Full Text of new Monographs
Starting soon, the full text of new Monographs will be made freely available to all, in electronic form, on the Monographs programme web site.