**1. Introduction**

320 Cancer Prevention – From Mechanisms to Translational Benefits

Yu, S., G. Shen, T. O. Khor, J. H. Kim & A. N. Kong. "Curcumin Inhibits Akt/Mammalian

Yuan, J. P., J. H. Wang & X. Liu. "Metabolism of Dietary Soy Isoflavones to Equol by Human

Zapalis, Charles. *Food Chemistry and Nutritional Biochemistry / Charles Zapalis, R. Anderle Beck*.

Zhang, X., Q. Wang, B. Neil & X. Chen. "Effect of Lycopene on Androgen Receptor and Prostate-Specific Antigen Velocity." *Chin Med J (Engl)* 123, no. 16 (2010): 2231-6. Zhou, J. R., E. T. Gugger, T. Tanaka, Y. Guo, G. L. Blackburn & S. K. Clinton. "Soybean

Ziech, D., R. Franco, A.G. Georgakilas, S. Georgakila, V. Malamou-Mitsi, O. Schoneveld, A.

Zubik, L. & M. Meydani. "Bioavailability of Soybean Isoflavones from Aglycone and

Mechanism." *Mol Cancer Ther* 7, no. 9 (2008): 2609-20.

Edited by R. Anderle Beck. New York :: Wiley, 1985.

*Biological Interactions* 188, no. 2 (2010): 334-39.

765-81.

(2002): 143-53.

6 (2003): 1459-65.

Target of Rapamycin Signaling through Protein Phosphatase-Dependent

Intestinal Microflora--Implications for Health." *Mol Nutr Food Res* 51, no. 7 (2007):

Phytochemicals Inhibit the Growth of Transplantable Human Prostate Carcinoma and Tumor Angiogenesis in Mice." *Journal of Nutrition* 129, no. 9 (1999): 1628-35. Zhou, J. R., L. Yu, Y. Zhong, R. L. Nassr, A. A. Franke, S. M. Gaston & G. L. Blackburn.

"Inhibition of Orthotopic Growth and Metastasis of Androgen-Sensitive Human Prostate Tumors in Mice by Bioactive Soybean Components." *Prostate* 53, no. 2

Pappa & M.I. Panayiotidis. "The Role of Reactive Oxygen Species and Oxidative Stress in Environmental Carcinogenesis and Biomarker Development." *Chemico-*

Glucoside Forms in American Women." *American Journal of Clinical Nutrition* 77, no.

Intestinal carcinogenesis is the final outcome of a multi-step process resulting from genetic alterations that are influenced by two categories of factors: environmental factors and hostrelated factors such as cytokines and hormones (including sex steroid hormones). One of the most important environmental factors involved in the development of colon cancer is dietary components. However, variations in cancer incidence among and within populations with similar dietary patterns suggest that the predominant pathogenetic factor is the individual response, through the expression of different protein and metabolite patterns (1). Among host-related factors particular attention is paid in this work to the relationship between estrogens, as well as their agonists (phytoestrogens), and colon cancer, and the possible role of these latter substances in the prevention of colon cancer.
