Molecular epidemiology of gastric cancer.

Molecular epidemiology refers to the incorporation of molecular techniques in epidemiological studies. There are different biomarkers in cancer research used for molecular epidemiology including markers of exposure, markers of dose, susceptibility, treatment response, prognosis, altered structure/function and cancer type. Selected markers, especially those of exposure and susceptibility, are described in an example of gastric cancer. Clinical significance of molecular epidemiology is discussed.