Naslov
Comet Assay in Human Biomonitoring as Reasonably Reliable Cancer Predictor in Epidemiology

Autori
Garaj-Vrhovac, Vera ; Gajski, Goran

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Poglavlja u knjigama, znanstveni

Knjiga
Cancer Biomarkers

Urednik/ci
Kristoff C, Helen

Izdavač
Nova Science Publishers

Grad
New York (NY)

Godina
2011

Raspon stranica
165-188

ISBN
978-1-61761-302-9

Ključne riječi
Comet assay, Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes, Primary DNA damage, Physical mutagens, Pediatric and adult population

Sažetak
A number of evidence supports the concept that DNA is the crucial target of most carcinogens and that mutations in tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes may lead to cancer. Cancer biomarkers should be validated for application in clinical trials to be conducted in diagnostics procedures that have potential exposure to mutagens and carcinogens. Over the past decade, single-cell gel electrophoresis or comet assay become one of the standard methods for assessing genome damage with variety applications in fundamental research in DNA damage and repair as well as in population biomonitoring. In molecular epidemiological studies, DNA damage evaluated by comet assay is utilized as a biomarker of exposure to mutagens and carcinogens. As a rapid and sensitive technique, the comet assay permits the detection of primary DNA damage and the study of repair kinetics at the single cell level. A variety of possible modifications of the assay facilitates the detection of single-strand DNA breaks, alkali-labile site, double-strand breaks, incomplete excision repair sites, and interstrand cross-links. In human studies, the comet assay has widely been used to quantify DNA damage in isolated lymphocytesfrom subjects exposed to several environmental or occupational agents. It has often been postulated that such cytogenetic endpoints in peripheral blood lymphocytes serve as reasonably reliable cancer predictors in epidemiology. The aim of this chapter was the assessment and quantification of the levels of DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of general and occupationaly exposed population to ionizing and non- ionizing radiation. Results gained, indicate that comet assay revealed heterogenecity in the level of DNA breakage induced in human peripheral lymphocytes exposed to physical mutagens. Increased comet values measured in peripheral blood lymphocytes indicated highly significant levels of primary DNA damage after exposure to both types of radiation.In this context, the application of this assay could also be extended to the possible diagnostic use in cancer detection in pediatric, adult and geriatric populations.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija, Temeljne medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA