Oncogene proteins as molecular epidemiologic markers of cancer risk in hazardous waste workers.

Although DNA adducts are a relatively early marker in the carcinogenic process, it would be desirable to have a molecular epidemiologic marker of a later step--late enough in the process that it is of clear significance to the development of malignancy, but not too late to preclude effective intervention to abort the process. Such a molecular epidemiologic marker that may have particular relevance for cancer screening in occupational cohorts with potential carcinogen exposure, such as hazardous waste workers, is based on oncogene expression.