Molecular Epidemiology: Cancer Risk Assessment Using Biomarkers for Detecting Early Health Effects in Individuals Exposed to Occupational and Environmental Carcinogens

Abstract

Detecting changes that precede the overt symptoms of cancer and identifying measurable indices of such changes in persons exposed to occupational and environmental carcinogens constitutes one of the primary objectives of molecular epidemiology research. Biomarkers represent a valuable research tool that makes it possible to attain that objective. Suitably selected biomarker sets may provide information on the extent of exposure to carcinogenic agents (internal dose, biologically effective dose), detect early changes caused by those agents in the exposed organism, and identify individuals with a particularly high risk of cancer development. The tremendous progress in research on the mechanisms of cancer initiation and promotion has enabled the assessment of cancer risk in healthy individuals by examining specific results from determinations of suitably selected biomarkers. The finding that gene defects (gene mutations and changes of their expression) constitute the background of carcinogenesis has resulted in molecular biology becoming focused on detecting defective genes or proteins synthesized under control of the defective genes.

Der Ames-Test als Biomarker

“…Diese Verfahren erlauben den Nachweis einer mutagenen Exposition gegenüber bestimmten oder unbestimmten Agenzien oder Agenzgemischen oder weisen auf eine angeborene, wie auch erworbene Disposition oder Suszeptibilität hin [10]. Diese Verfahren erlauben den Nachweis einer mutagenen Exposition gegenüber bestimmten oder unbestimmten Agenzien oder Agenzgemischen oder weisen auf eine angeborene, wie auch erworbene Disposition oder Suszeptibilität hin [10].…”

Cytogenetic damage induced by mouthrinses formulations in vivo and in vitro

“…They should allow statements concerning chemical exposure and give further information on the status of susceptibility. Biomarkers are divided into three groups: the first to define the exposure to harmful agents; the second to show biological effects on the target tissue; and the third to give information about the individual susceptibility [4]. To date, a variety of assays have been proposed as potential biomarkers in biomonitoring studies, including those assessing metaphase chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges, and host cell reactivation.…”

Biomonitoring of DNA damage and cytotoxicity in individuals exposed to cone beam computed tomography

“…These studies are divided into three groups: first to define the exposure to mutagenic and/or carcinogenic agents, second to show biological effects on the target tissue and third to give information about the individual susceptibility. 8 To date, a variety of assays have been proposed in biomonitoring studies, including those that assess metaphase chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges, DNA damage and host cell reactivation. However, these methods are typically laborious and time-consuming or require highly trained technicians to accurately read and interpret slides.…”