This book describes the mechanism of the anti-cancer effects of capsaicin including the involvement of cytochrome P-450 in the bioactivation; identification of mitochondria as the key target site for oxidative stress; involvement of mitochondrial respiratory chain in the production of ROS; prevention of chemically-induced carcinogenesis, discussion on TRPV-1 receptor mediated or independent anti-cancer effects; identification of p53 activation as a possible mechanism; involvement of Cox-2 in apoptosis, suppression of transcription factors such as NF-kB and STAT-3; inhibition of cell survival pathways including PI3K/Akt and the involvement of intrinsic mitochondrial cell death pathway.

Preface.- Role of capsaicin in cancer prevention.- Role of death receptors belonging to the TNF family in capsaicin-induced apoptosis of tumorcells.- Role of capsaicin in prostate cancer.- Capsaicin and the urinary bladder.- Inhibition of pancreatitis and carcinogenesis by capsaicin.- Cytochrome P450-dependent modification of capsaicinoids:  pharmacological inactivation and bioactivation mechanisms.- The cancer suppressing and promoting actions of capsaicin.- Oxidative stress by capsaicin in cancer.